A first responder on the scene of an incident which resulted in the deaths of three children after falling into an icy lake tried to punch a hole in the ice in a bid to save them.
As reported earlier today, three boys aged 11, 10 and eight died after falling through the ice while playing on frozen water in Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, West Midlands on Sunday afternoon. Together with a boy aged six, who remains in a critical condition, the trio were rushed to hospitals in Birmingham but tragically could not be saved.
In a press conference held at Babbs Mill Park on Monday afternoon, Superintended Richard Harris of West Midlands Police briefed reporters on the circumstances of the incident and the subsequent response as members of the public rushed to help the youngsters. Emergency services arrived shortly after, with first responders rushing into the icy waters in a bid to save the stricken kids.
Supt Harris said: "When officers first arrived on the scene, they went into the lake, together with fire and ambulance colleagues. It was a combined effort of all officers going into the lake to try to rescue them.
"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."
He added officers are continuing to search the waters amid speculation that other children may have been playing in the area. While police do not believe that anyone else is at risk, Supt Harris said searches would continue until officers were "100% certain" this was the case.
He continued: "Also this time of year, it's on the run-up to Christmas, so close to the event itself, also adds to that tragedy. But as you can imagine the families are absolutely devastated, which is why we're doing our very best to support the families.
"And obviously we're abiding by their requests at the moment as to how much information that the families want us to to make available to the media so we're doing everything we possibly can to support them."
The incident has shaken the local community in Solihull to its core, with a nearby primary school closing for the day out of respect and so children can be properly supported at home. Solihull Council leader Ian Courts said: "This is just about as bad as it gets...a dreadful situation. We are completely stunned at what's happened."
West Midlands Fire Service area commander Richard Stanton said the deaths of the three boys were a "stark reminder" of the dangers of open water. He told the press conference: "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."
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