BBC news presenter Joanna Gosling was unable to contain her emotions today as she announced the tragic death of three youngsters in the West Midlands.
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.
News host Joanna, 51, was reporting for the BBC when the official confirmation of the younsters' deaths was made.
She broke down in tears as she provided viewers with the heartbreaking update on the BBC News channel, as writes the Mirror.
She 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.
"I am so sorry..."
Then visibly upset, she added: "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.
"Very sadly, we have heard three of those boys have died."
She then said the news was "very shocking" and "very sad".
In a statement released on Monday morning, West Midlands Police said: "Three boys have tragically died after falling into the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull yesterday afternoon.
"The boys, aged 11, 10 and eight, were rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water. Sadly, they could not be revived and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this deeply devastating time. We'll have specialist officers offering them as much support as we can. A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
"Searches of the lake are continuing as we seek to establish exactly what happened and if anyone else fell into the water.
"We understand how distressing this is for the families and the wider community."
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."
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."
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