A BBC news reporter was overcome with emotion after breaking the news that three young boys had died after falling through ice on a frozen lake in Solihull. Joanna Gosling was breaking the tragic news just after the update was confirmed by police just after 11am on Monday.
Three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 died after being pulled from an icy lake. A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Police say the families of the children are "absolutely devastated". West Midlands Police say one police officer suffered hypothermia trying to punch through the ice to rescue the children.
Police "waded waist deep" to try to get to the children while firefighters "did everything they could". Police and firefighters entered the water in their normal uniforms with no regard for their own safety, officers have said. Read more about the rescue operation here.
Breaking the news to viewers, BirminghamLive reported Ms Gosling said: "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..."
The mum of three 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".
At the scene, Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: "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."
Superintendent Harris said there are a number of witnesses officers still want to speak to and appealed for anyone with information to contact the force.
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