A BBC presenter broke down in tears as she reported the deaths of three young children today.
Three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 have all sadly lost their lives after being pulled from an icy lake in Solihull.
A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
News anchor Joanna Gosling, 51, announced the tragic news on the BBC News channel on Monday.
"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..."
Visibly choked up, Joanna continued: "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."
Trying to compose herself, the journalist concluded: "Very sadly, we have heard three of those boys have died" before saying the news was "very shocking" and "very sad".
In an update 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," the force continued.
"We understand how distressing this is for the families and the wider community."
It is thought the children had been playing on ice in Babbs Mill Park, in Kingshurst, West Midlands Police said.
They were rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water, but officers said on Monday they were sadly unable to be revived.
Temperatures across the country plummeted over the weekend with lows of just 1C (34F) being reported in Solihull at the time of the incident, which fell to -3C (26F) overnight.
A fire service spokesman said the tragedy highlighted the dangers of frozen water.
"It can look picturesque but can be lethal," he said. "Please help avoid this from happening again."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the children's families.
He spoke to Meriden MP Saqib Bhatti, who was visiting the scene, and said as a father of two young daughters, it was a particularly difficult case to think about.
Meanwhile, Mr Bhatti thanked the emergency services for their efforts.
He said: "In these conditions not to worry about your own safety and just to go after those children is heroic."
