Officers who tried to save boys trapped in frozen Solihull lake nominated for bravery award

The four officers tried to rescue the boys who vanished after playing on the ice and falling through.

Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 13th Jul 2023
Last updated 13th Jul 2023

Four police officers who ignored safety guidelines and smashed through ice to try to reach young boys trapped beneath a frozen lake, have been nominated for Police Bravery Awards.

They were the first on the scene at Babbs Mill lake in Solihull in December last year.

Four boys had fallen into the freezing water, after playing on the ice which had given way.

Sadly, despite the efforts of the officers, eight-year-old Samuel Butler and his six-year-old brother Finlay died alongside their cousin Thomas Stewart, 11, and a fourth boy Jack Johnson, who was 10.

Last week, a coroner concluded they died after drowning in a "terrible accident".

L-R Fin, Sam and Tom

"It was so cold, I was physically shaking"

Sgt Fergal Sharkey, who helped lead the operation, said: "It was quickly decided we needed to go into the water and we linked arms and formed a human chain, there were no life rings or rope. Some officers were using their hands and batons to break the ice.

"We got out as far as we could but we were still some distance away from where the boys went in and couldn't reach them, so I detached myself and ploughed on, breaking the ice with my elbows, but I got to a lip in the lake where the bottom completely drops off.

"I'm a strong swimmer, but it was so cold I was physically shaking. I tried to climb on the ice but it wasn't thick enough to take my weight, so we had to make the decision to come out."

Emergency services continued their efforts, with firefighters entering the water with specialist equipment. They recovered the boys from beneath the ice, but sadly they could not be saved.

Recognition

In total, fourteen officers from the West Midlands force involved in the rescue operation in December are among 90 from across England and Wales who are contenders in the 28th annual awards organised by the Police Federation.

The results will be announced at a ceremony tonight.

Hundreds of tributes left at the scene near Babbs Mill lake

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