Greater Manchester Police have issued a warning on the dangers of cold water after three children fell through an icy lake and tragically died.
The three boys - aged eight, 10 and 11 - passed away after being pulled from the freezing cold lake in Babbs Mill Park near Solihull yesterday (December 11). A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Emergency services were first called to the scene at 2.36pm on Sunday where it was reported four children had been playing on the ice and fallen through. A huge rescue operation was launched and the four children were pulled out in a state of cardiac arrest.
READ MORE: Police officer tried to punch through ice as others waded into freezing lake to save tragic children
The operation is ongoing at the scene, though West Midlands Police said this afternoon that nobody else had been reported missing. Following on from the tragic incident, GMP have issued a warning and advice for parents on keeping their children safe around open cold water.
Officers have urged parents to make sure their children are supervised at all times when near lakes or ponds, especially during the current cold snap. They have also urged people to warn their children about the dangers of cold water.
A post on the GMP Rochdale Facebook page said: "Following some really tragic news , GMP Rochdale would like to stress the importance of safety around cold water. Please ensure that children are supervised at all times when in the vicinity of cold water and advise children about the dangers of cold water and the impact it can have."
In an update on the incident in Babbs Mill Park 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."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Bullying rapist 'Tank' tries to get out of jail by saying he was framed
- 'Do they want me to die?' Mum who needs urgent MRI scan for 'possible brain tumour' told she's too overweight
- I tried pigs in blankets from M&S, Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda and there’s only one worth eating on Christmas day
- Rats everywhere and a sex offender in the bathroom - a homeless mum's journey through a broken system
- Thousands flock to Manchester's first Christmas Parade with magical procession through city centre
