Babbs Mill: Calls for more water safety awareness one year on from tragedy
Today marks one year since Jack Johnson, Thomas Stewart and Finlay and Samuel Butler died after falling through a frozen lake.
Last updated 11th Dec 2023
It's one year today since tragedy struck Solihull and four young boys died after venturing out onto an icy lake and falling through into freezing water.
Jack Johnson, 10, Thomas Stewart,11, Finlay Butler, 8, and Samuel Butler, 6, had been playing at Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst on December 11, when they fell through a frozen lake.
Emergency services launched into action to rescue the boys, with the operation lasting four hours until they were certain no one else was in the water.
The next day, it was confirmed Finlay, Thomas and Jack had died. Samuel remained in a critical condition in hospital, and passed away several days later.
In the days following the tragedy members of the community and people across the country gathered to leave tributes.
As well, as concerns around water safety with children.
Calls for Water Safety
After the tragic incident, members of the community and residents called for water safety measures around the lake.
Twelve months on, and nothing around the lake has changed in terms of extra safety initiatives.
Local MP for Meriden, Saqib Bhatti said: "I raised this with the Department of Education to talk about water safety. A lot of water safety training is around pools but not enough is done around lakes and open water.
"I know there's been lots of engagement around the local community and awareness with schools."
Martin Ward-White is from West Midlands Fire Service and has been urging people to stay off the ice this winter.
He said: "The message that we want to get across to people is think twice, stay off the ice.
"We can't change what happened last year, but what we can do is use it to try and stop it happening again.
"If you do go through ice, try not to panic, call for help and conserve your energy."
Despite the families never speaking out publicly, Finlay and Sam's mum have praised water and swimming safety breakfast clubs that are currently taking place across schools in Birmingham.
She told a local Facebook group, "just attending one of these sessions could have saved one of my children’s lives."