Babbs Mill: one year on from deaths of four boys in lake tragedy

Today marks one year since tragedy hit Solihull when four young boys died after falling into a frozen lake.

Brothers 6-year-old Samuel and 8-year-old Finlay Butler, their cousin 11-year-old Thomas Stewart and 10-year-old Jack Johnson had been playing at Babbs Mill in Kingshurst, when they fell through the ice and into freezing water.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at about 2.40pm on December 11, 2022.

Fire crews, police officers and search and rescue teams worked tirelessly, in freezing temperatures, to reach the boys.

They risked their own lives in entering the water, with the rescue effort continuing for four hours until they were sure no-one else was missing.

The following day, it was confirmed Finlay, Thomas and Jack had died. Samuel remained in a critical condition in hospital, and passed away several days later.

The team of officers from West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service were later honoured for their unbelievable bravery in such tragic circumstances.

WATCH: Our senior reporter Hannah Richardson speaking to West Midlands Fire Service area manager Martin Ward-White who helped lead the rescue effort

A sea of tributes

In the hours and days that followed the boys' deaths, people travelled from across the West Midlands and beyond to leave flowers, teddies, balloons and messages close to Babbs Mill.

A sea of tributes soon built at the base of a tree which became a focal point, with the community coming together to pay their respects and comfort each other.

As well as hundreds of members of the public and emergency services themselves leaving flowers, local sporting stars also paid their respects.

Birmingham City manager at the time, John Eustace, laid a blue and white wreath on behalf of the Football Club.

Aston Villa players Tyrone Mings and John McGinn also left tributes to Samuel, Finlay, Thomas and Jack.

A vigil took place a week after the Babbs Mill tragedy where hundreds of people from the community gathered near the lake to remember the boys.

A fundraising appeal was set up to help the families, which raised over £95,000.

Coroner: boys' deaths were 'accidental'

An inquest into the deaths of Samuel and Finlay Butler, Thomas Stewart and Jack Johnson was held in July.

The boys’ deaths were found to be accidental.

Following the hearing, Superintendent Rich Harris, from Solihull Police said:

“Our deepest sympathies remain with the families and friends of those involved in this tragedy. We cannot comprehend the enormity of the pain they must feel and our hearts go out to them.

“We stand together with the local communities in Solihull and those across the West Midlands and further afield who we know were deeply affected by this terrible tragedy.

“I would like to pay tribute to all of those who tried to save the boys – members of the public, colleagues from the emergency services and the medical staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Heartlands Hospital."

Area Commander Alex Shapland of West Midlands Fire Service said:

“This was a tragedy beyond words. It was every parent, every carer, every family’s worst nightmare. Our hearts go out to everyone still trying to come to terms with the events of that day.

“I would like to acknowledge the courageous efforts of everyone at West Midlands Fire Service who were involved in the response. From our team in fire control to our firefighters, and our emergency service colleagues, who did all they possibly could for the boys.

“We wish the outcome could have been different."

Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.