Firefighters have urged people to "stay well away" from frozen bodies of water after confirming that a pet dog had sadly died after falling through the ice of a frozen lake in the North East.
The dog was pulled from the freezing water by Cleveland Fire Brigade after the ice broke underneath it on Hemlington Lake, Middlesbrough, but was sadly unable to survive the ordeal. When called to the scene, the Fire Brigade said that they had seen several children attempting to walk on the ice just days after the Solihull tragedy.
Three boys aged just eight, 10 and 11 were confirmed to have died after falling through the ice on Babbs Mill Lake in Solihull on Sunday, while a fourth boy, aged six, who was placed in intensive care after the incident, also tragically lost his life on Wednesday. Fire chiefs have since warned against the dangers of walking on frozen water amid the recent sub-zero temperatures.
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A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade told Teesside Live: "We have just attended an incident involving a dog that has fallen through the ice on Hemlington Lake. Whilst our crews were in attendance children were seen trying to walk on the ice.
"Frozen ponds and lakes may be very tempting to walk or play on but please stay well away and do not put yourself or anybody else in danger. We’d like to encourage our communities and partners to share this message...and in particular to make children aware of the dangers of walking on the ice following the tragic events in Solihull last weekend."
In an update confirming that the dog had died following the incident, the fire brigade wrote on Facebook: "Unfortunately, the dog has sadly passed away and we send our sympathies to the owner(s). This is another stark reminder to reiterate the message to stay well away from frozen ponds and lakes!"
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service issued a similar plea earlier this week, following reports of children walking on the ice at various North East locations including Killingworth Lake and Marsden Quarry in North Tyneside, Saltwell Park in Gateshead and Paddy Freeman's Park in Newcastle.
Station Manager Jonathan Ramanayake said: "What has unfolded in Solihull is every parent’s worst nightmare and our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tragedy. With that in mind, it is shocking for us to hear that children here in Tyne and Wear have continued to walk on frozen stretches of water.
"Some of the locations are not dissimilar to the lake where the tragedy in Solihull took place and those involved are putting their lives at risk. We are speaking with schools across the region but we need communities to support our messaging.
"Speak with your children, talk to your neighbours and if you see someone behaving in this way please speak up. If you do see someone fall through the ice, please don't enter the water yourself. Call 999, ask for the fire and rescue service, and first responders will be there as quickly as possible."
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