The 'frantic' dad of one of the boys who died in a freezing lake in Solihull waded in to try and rescue them, according to reports.
Four boys, aged six, eight, 10 and 11, were pulled from the Babbs Mill Lake after falling through the ice last Sunday. The 10-year-old boy - named as Jack Johnson - and the 11-year-old boy were pronounced dead that day while the eight-year-old died on Monday.
Yesterday (December 14), police confirmed the six-year-old boy who had been in a critical condition had also lost his fight for life bringing the tragic death toll to four. It has now emerged a father of one of the boys waded into the lake with a dog walker to try and rescue them before emergency services arrived.
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Jack Johnson also bravely tried to save the other boys. Firefighters and police then entered the chilly waters with one officer punching through the ice to reach the boys and pull them from the lake.
Friends have now set up a Gofundme page to raise funds for the grieving families of the 'Babbs Mill Princes'. It has already smashed its £10,000 target within 16 hours of being set up.
Organiser Sharon Doyle said the boys had fallen through the ice after 'forgetting the dangers taught by their parents' before young Jack heroically tried to save them. She wrote: "Our hearts are broken for the four Little Princes.
"On Sunday, 11th December 2022, a group of children played in a local park near an open lake. Being children and adventurous, they forgot the dangers taught by their parents and risked going onto the icy lake.
"Four boys fell through the ice and into the lake. The frantic father of one of the lads and a dog walker entered the lake to try and help the boys.
"The emergency and rescue services arrived promptly and began the rescue. Sadly, Jack (aged 10) and a young boy (aged 11) lost their lives on Sunday, 11th December 2022.
"Another young boy (aged 8) passed away in the early hours of the morning on Monday, 12th December 2022.
"Jack Johnson sadly passed away after falling in, bravely trying to save the other children. No parent expects to lose their children so young, and sadly, no amount of money would ever place them back in our arms, but with our help, we can hopefully ease the worry of the financial costs they will need to meet.
"This tragedy is heartbreaking, has brought a community together, and has affected people's hearts worldwide. Condolences go out to all three families and their relatives."
West Midlands Police confirmed yesterday the search for any other people in the lake had now been called off following the six-year-old's death. A force spokesperson said: "It is with heartfelt sadness that we have to report this afternoon, the six-year-old in hospital has lost his fight for life.
"Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragedy. We cannot comprehend the enormity of the pain they must feel and our hearts go out to them.
"Specialist officers remain in contact with the family and we will issue further information as soon as we can. The searches have been completed and the scene of the incident at the lake will be lifted this evening."
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
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