North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue warning over frozen rivers and lakes after three boys die
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have put out a warning after three young children died in Solihull
People in North Yorkshire are being urged not to walk on frozen lakes and ponds under any circumstances after the tragic deaths of three young boys in the West Midands.
The deaths of the 8, 10 and 11 year olds in Solihull were confirmed by West Midlands Police on Monday morning.
READ: Three boys have died after falling through ice in Solihull
First reports of them struggling in the water emerged over the weekend.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson Adam Farrow said: "Our main advice is to stay away from frozen bodies of water".
"Just be mindful of the areas you're in. You're potentially some distance away from an emergency response and a reachable location. Any delay could mean life or death."
Police have also warned four boys in York about their "life choices" after they were spotted trying to smash ice on a frozen pond on Sunday.
Life saving advice
The Royal Life Saving Society is issuing guidance on how to respond if you see someone who is struggling after falling through icy surfaces, or if you slip through the ice yourself.
The RLSS says there are simple steps to take to keep safe during the winter when around frozen surfaces.
- Never go onto the ice to play, to retrieve an object or a pet
- Never enter the ice to rescue somebody, call 999 and ask for the Fire & Rescue Service
What to do if you fall through the ice
If you fall through the ice, the RLSS says these tips give you the best chance of survival:
- Keep calm and shout for 'Help'
- Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you
- If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide on to the ice
- Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank
- If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank
- If you cannot climb out, wait for help, keeping as still as possible. Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water
- Once you are safe, go immediately to hospital for a check-up
What to do if you see someone fall through ice
If you see someone fall through ice, the advice is DON'T follow them in:
- Shout for assistance and phone 999
- Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue
- Tell the casualty to 'keep still' and offer reassurances to keep calm
- Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else to extend your reach
- When reaching, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice
- If you can't reach them, slide something which floats, like a football, across to them for them to hold onto.
- If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty.
What happened in Solihull?
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.