Heartbreaking Moment: Boy, 10, Who Died After Falling Through Frozen Lake

Tens of police officers and firefighters spent hours up into the night around Babbs Mill Park despite the freezing temperature. Four children fell into the frozen lake at the park and three of them have been pronounced dead, despite being fished out of the lake and taken immediately to the hospital.

Along with the flowers was a card that read, “With deepest sympathy. Rest in peace boys. Love from Sheldon Red Watch.”

But they couldn’t be compared to the grandfather of one of the dead children, 10-year-old Jack, who rushed to the lake to save his grandson.

Dale Hewitt, who’s a family friend, “It’s just heartbreaking for the family and this will have a massive impact on the whole community. I also know the grandfather of two of the kids involved. I heard that he ran down from where he lives and jumped into the lake to try to save them.”

“What’s happened is so sad. I’ve got two kids aged six and 11 months and it has really affected me.”

“I saw a video taken from one of the tower blocks where you can hear these screams of ‘Help’ coming from the lake. It was unbearable.”

A neighbor shared that the kids were playing on the frozen lake when it cracked and plunged the children into freezing water. They shared, “Jack and the other lads saw that it had been snowing from the flats and wanted to go and play. They rushed across to the park and were playing on top of the frozen lake, when the ice cracked.”

“It’s so tragic. Jack was a lovely lad. I know his dad Kirk. He is devastated. My heart goes out to him.”

West Midlands Police Superintendent Richard Harris shared at a press conference, “One of my officers was trying to punch through the ice to rescue the children themselves. That officer as a result of that had some mild hypothermia yesterday.”

The officer is now “absolutely fine” after he was treated. With Christmas coming, it just adds to the somber mood as affected families “are absolutely devastated.” The police now are focusing on providing support to the families and wishes to protect their privacy.

“And obviously we’re abiding by their requests at the moment as to how much information that the families want us to make available to the media so we’re doing everything we possibly can to support them.”

The firefighters and devastated local residents have been placing flower bouquets near the location.

Mayor Andy Street left a bouquet with a card. He wrote, “Such a tragedy. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their most precious gift. May their young lives rest in peace and may Kingshurst come together to remember them.”

Many were involved in attempting to save the children when it happened. Fire Service commander Richard Stanton took this opportunity to warn people about the dangers of open water.

“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.”

Unfortunately, there were reports that as many as six children fell into the water and only four were found. The search continues.

There are no reports of missing people so far, however, but the superintendent intends to stop only when they’re “100% certain” that nobody else has fallen into the lake.

Specialist equipment was brought in as the search continues late at night.