A schoolboy who died after falling through ice into a lake was trying to save three other children, his heartbroken family have revealed.
Three boys, aged eight, 10 and 11, tragically died after they fell through the ice into a lake in a park near Solihull in the West Midlands on Sunday. A six-year-old boy remains in hospital fighting for his life.
Jack Johnson, 10, paid the ultimate price for his heroic actions after he dived into the freezing lake after hearing the screams of three struggling children, the Mirror reports.
READ MORE: 'School run parents block my driveway then abuse me
Floral tributes, balloons, soft toys and lighted candles were left by mourners at a vigil held in Kingshurst, near Birmingham, on Monday night. As tributes poured in for the three victims, shocking details about the rescue operation began to emerge.
In a press conference, Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, told reporters that one officer who attended the scene was treated for hypothermia after attempting to punch through the ice while trying to rescue the children from the lake.
West Midlands Police said nobody else had been reported missing. Emergency services were first called to the scene at 2.36pm on Sunday, where it was reported four children had been playing on the ice and fallen through into the lake.
Members of the public and police officers initially went into the chilly waters to try to get the youngsters out, before the children were reached by specialist water rescue-trained firefighters who got the group to safety.
Those pulled from the water were given immediate life support by ambulance and fire service personnel before being rushed to two Birmingham hospitals; Birmingham Children’s and Heartlands, where they all arrived in critical condition.
At a vigil on Monday night, children could be seen clutching hot water bottles as they stood in silence, as families of the victims lit candles and placed them at the base of a tree.
Jack’s aunt Charlotte McIlmurray posted online: "The 10-year-old boy is my nephew. He seen one go through the ice and he ran and tried to save them.
"Our prayers and thoughts are with the other family. We are just broken over it. To find out he died trying to save three lads he didn’t even know, that just sums him up. He was amazing.”
Jack’s horrified family members raced to the scene as the rescue operation was taking place at Babbs Mill Lake.
During a news conference at an entrance to Babbs Mill nature reserve, Superintendent Harris said: "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."
Supt Harris added: "Police officers did go 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."
Families affected by the tragedy are "absolutely devastated", Mr Harris said. He told reporters: "Also this time of year, it’s on the run-up to Christmas, so close to the event itself, also adds to that tragedy.
"And as you can imagine the families are absolutely devastated, which is why we’re doing our very best to support the families."
West Midlands Fire Service area commander Richard Stanton said the deaths of the three boys were a tragic reminder of the dangers of open water.
Appearing beside Supt Harris, Mr Stanton said: "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."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
-
'We prioritise cars and vans too much in Greater Manchester', Andy Burnham says
-
Pet Yorkshire Terrier, 4, taken to vet to be put to sleep by family who didn't want him anymore
-
Man arrested as woman fighting for life after being hit by van on busy main road
-
TransPennine Express issue warning to customers after dozens of services axed
