Police: No other children reported missing after three die in icy lake
One child is still in hospital
Last updated 12th Dec 2022
Police say they have "had no contact from anyone suggesting there is anyone else missing" after three young boys died in an icy lake in Kingshurst, Solihull.
Despite that, in a briefing today, officers said they wouldn't leave Babbs Mill Park lake until they are “100% certain” no one else is in the water.
Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: “We have to be 100% certain that there is no one else possibly in the water at this time.
“It’s important to stress though that we’ve had no contact from anybody suggesting that there’s anybody else missing but until we’re 100% certain we will be carrying on searches throughout the course of today.”
Police Officer treated for hypothermia
One officer was treated for hypothermia after trying to punch through ice in an effort to rescue children from the lake, police said.
Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: “Police officers did go into into the water.
“They were joined by other members of the other emergency services. Some of the officers went in waist-deep.
“One of my officers was trying to punch through the ice to actually rescue the children themselves. That officer as a result of that had some mild hypothermia yesterday. I’m pleased to say that he’s now been released from hospital and he’s absolutely fine.”
A 'stark' reminder of the dangers of open water
West Midlands Fire Service area commander Richard Stanton said the deaths of three boys who fell into a frozen lake was a “stark reminder” of the dangers of open water.
He told a press conference at the scene at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull: “Yesterday’s incident is a stark reminder to us all of the dangers of open water, especially during the winter months.
“Frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can look picturesque but they can be lethal and there are no greater warnings of this than yesterday’s tragic events.
“We would ask parents and carers to remind their children of the dangers of ice and why they must keep off it. Please help us to avoid this from happening again.”
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.