Hundreds attend vigil for boys who died in Solihull lake tragedy
It's a week since the tragic incident happened.
Last updated 18th Dec 2022
Hundreds of people have turned out at a vigil, to remember the four boys who died after falling into a frozen lake in Solihull.
Brothers Samuel and Finlay Butler, their cousin Thomas Stewart and Jack Johnson all passed away after falling into a frozen lake.
Since the tragic accident happened a week ago, hundreds of people have been bringing candles, bouquets, children's toys, and balloons to the spot, as people struggle to deal with the scale of the loss.
And yesterday, a huge crown gathered at the makeshift memorial near to the lake, to hold a vigil for the boys and their families.
A fundraiser to support them has almost reached £70,000.
Superintendent Rich Harris, of West Midlands Police, said:
"This is a tragedy beyond words and a grief that is unimaginable for the families and friends of the boys.
"The support from the community has been overwhelming, not just for the bereaved families, but also for the emergency services, for which we are extremely grateful."
The tragedy has united the city's rival football clubs, Aston Villa and Birmingham City FC, in grief, with representatives of both clubs turning up unannounced at the scene, to lay flowers.
Blues' head coach laid a wreath at the memorial on Tuesday, while Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings and club captain John McGinn laid flowers there on Wednesday.
And at yesterday's (Saturday) West Brom game, tributes were paid in the fourth minute of the match.
A minutes silence and prayers in memory of the four boys will be held at nearby St Barnabas Church this evening.