One month since the Babbs Mill Lake Tragedy
Four boys sadly lost their lives after falling into a frozen lake
A month has passed since the Babbs Mill Lake tragedy where four boys died after falling into a frozen lake in Solihull.
Brothers 6-year-old Samuel and 8-year-old Finlay Butler, their cousin 11-year-old Thomas Stewart and 10-year-old Jack Johnson all tragically passed away.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at Babbs Mill at about 2.40pm on Sunday, December 11. They had received calls that people had fallen into the icy water at the beauty spot.
It was confirmed on Monday December 12, that Finlay, Thomas and Jack had died. Samuel was taken to hospital in a critical condition and he died a few days later.
After the incident, the family of Samuel, Finlay, and Thomas said: “As a family we are devastated at the loss of our beautiful boys Tom, Fin and Sam in such tragic circumstances. We would like to thank the emergency services for all they did in rescuing the boys and to the community for their support, it has been overwhelming.
“We would like to pass on our condolences to Jack’s family at this very sad time, and ask for privacy from the media to begin to grieve.”
A vigil took place a week after the incident 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 has raised over £94,000 from over 3,600 donations.
The Prime Minister also addressed the tragedy during PMQs in the Commons.
Mr Sunak told MPs: "Can I send my condolences to the family and friends of all of those who lost their lives? I also pay tribute to our emergency services - for their incredibly selfless actions.
"This whole event has shocked the whole community. I know the local MP will do all he can to support his constituents at this time."
What happened at Babbs Mill Lake?
Emergency services were called to Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst, a nature park in Solihull, at 2.36pm on Sunday, with reports that children had been playing on the ice and had fallen through into the lake.
Divers from Nottinghamshire Police searched Babbs Mill Lake through the night after it was thought 2 people might still be missing after 4 others were rescued after falling through the thin ice and taken to hospital.
Rescue crews also searched the water at Babbs Mill Lake by boat through the night.
As searches at the lake continued to look for the possibility that anyone else had been in the water, it was confirmed that three of the four boys who had been rescued had sadly died.
Police confirmed that three boys, aged 11, 10 and 8 years old, who were rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water, couldn't be revived.
In a briefing later on Monday, Police and Fire bosses said while they continued to search the lake, there were no other children reported missing at this time.
They also described rescue efforts of both the public and officers first on scene, one of whom had to be treated for hypothermia after trying to punch through the ice as part of a rescue attempt.
Dozens of floral tributes and teddies have started to be laid for the three boys who died after falling into a frozen lake in Solihull.
A group of firefighters were among those to visit the scene near Babbs Mill lake on Monday 12th December.
Floral tributes, balloons, soft toys and lighted candles were left by mourners who gathered at the vigil held in Kingshurst on Monday night.
Birmingham City Football Club head coach John Eustace was one of the many who continued to pay tribute on Tuesday. He laid flowers near the lakeside, on behalf of all those at the football club.
Mr Eustace, who was born in Solihull, laid a floral wreath of blue and white at the foot of a tree which has become the focal point of mourning near Babbs Mill Lake.
A vigil was held on the Saturday after the incident. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects. A minute silence was held, and candles were lit in memory of the boys.
The inquest into the death of the boys heard that three of the boys were rescued after 22 minutes in the water, while a fourth was pulled from the lake after 31 minutes.
Senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull Louise Hunt described the circumstances as a "devastating tragedy."
Setting an inquest to be heard on July 6, Ms Hunt said: "The scope of the inquest will be to look at the circumstances leading to the deaths and the cause of death."
"I think, in respect, it is fair to say they very sadly died from the effect of drowning."
Having set out the initial cause of death, she added "no post-mortem would be required - to preserve the dignity and respect of each little boy".