Emergency crews attend four incidents of children playing on ice in 24 hours across Surrey

Rescue teams plead with adults to explain the dangers to their kids

Author: Gavin RutterPublished 16th Dec 2022

Surrey Fire and Rescue says it has been called out to children playing on ice four times in the last 24 hours.

It has called the development - which follows the deaths of four youngsters in Solihull who fell into a frozen lake on Sunday - 'very concerning'.

The incidents involved ice on lakes and rivers in Epsom, Guildford, Ashted and Godalming.

In a follow up tweet the service said: "The state of ice changes with the ambient temperature, what may support weight one minute, may fail the next.

"We don't need to stress how dangerous this is, you only need to look at the news.

"Cold water shock kills, and it puts other people who want to save lives at risk."

Rescue crews are pleading with parents to explain the risks to children.

The team at Surrey Search & Rescue tweeted: "Please speak to you children about the dangers of walking on ice in rivers and lakes.

"Don't assume the know. Talk to them."

Surrey Fire & Rescue added that anyone who does sees someone playing on the ice should ask them to come safely to the bank and, if you need to, call 999.

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