BBC news anchor Joanna Gosling fought back tears as she broke the devastating news three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 have died after being pulled from an icy lake in Solihull.
Emergency services were called to reports of children falling into a lake in Babbs Mill Park on Sunday , December 11. Four children were taken to hospital in a critical condition, after suffering cardiac arrests during the incident.
The search continued into the night, after reports that six children had fallen in. Police said it was "no longer a search and rescue operation".
READ MORE: Three schoolboys dead after falling into an icy lake in Solihull
Birmingham Live reports that while breaking the tragic news just after 11am on Monday, Ms Gosling told viewers: "I have some really sad news to bring you, we are hearing three boys - aged 10, 11 and eight - have died after being pulled from an icy lake in Solihull," she said. "I am so sorry..."
She then choked up, adding: "This is terrible news, obviously. Three boys have died and there were reports six people were on the ice, and emergency services are looking at the lake having got those reports."
She said: "Very sadly, we have heard three of those boys have died." Joanna tried to compose herself, saying the news was "very shocking" and "very sad".
A West Midlands Police statement said: "Three boys have tragically died after falling into the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull yesterday afternoon. The boys, aged 11, 10 and eight, were rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water.
"Sadly, they could not be revived and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this deeply devastating time. We'll have specialist officers offering them as much support as we can. A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
"We've been working alongside colleagues from the fire and ambulance services as we do all we can to support those involved. Searches of the lake are continuing as we seek to establish exactly what happened and if anyone else fell into the water.
"We understand how distressing this is for the families and the wider community. We would ask people to not speculate or share any video footage at this stage."
Our sister title Birmingham Live are covering the latest updates on this developing story.
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