People are being reminded to never walk on frozen rivers and lakes after the tragic death of three children in the West Midlands.
Three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 died after falling into an icy lake in Solihull, near Birmingham, on Sunday - and a fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
With temperatures expected to drop as low as -15 in some areas of the UK, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) are reminding people to be cautious around open water.
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TWFRS station manager for Byker and Gosforth Jay Shepherd said: “We want to send our deepest condolences to the victims and families of those affected by the tragic incident in Solihull yesterday where three children died after falling through ice on a lake.
“Our thoughts are also with emergency responders, including our colleagues at West Midlands Fire Service, who are continuing their operation at the scene today.
“Incidents like this rock communities and lead us all to hold our loved ones that little bit closer. But they are also terrible reminders of the dangers posed by the water.
“We have large patches of water across Tyne and Wear that will be iced over in this cold weather. We would ask that you never walk on ice or enter stretches of water.
“If you see someone in trouble - do not enter the water. Call 999 immediately and try and reach them with an object from dry land.
“Incidents like this are extremely rare but can have tragic consequences, as we have seen in Solihull.”
Michael Pearson, group manager in community risk management for CDDFRS, said: “We would like to send out our deepest condolences to the victims and families of those affected by the tragic incident in Solihull.
“Our thoughts are also with emergency responders who are continuing their operation at the scene today.
“With temperatures set to remain very cold, many ponds and other stretches of water are at risk of freezing. Whilst they may look solid, they can be extremely dangerous and very unlikely to hold your weight.
“If you are with someone, or a pet that gets into difficulty in the water, don’t put yourself at risk by entering the water. Immediately dial 999.”
Councillor Claire Rowntree, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council and cabinet member for Clean Green City said:
"Our thoughts are with all those involved in the tragedy in Solihull. I'd urge everyone to stay safe by following the advice of the Royal Life Saving Society on winter water safety: We now know that..." - Royal Life Saving Society UK - RLSS UK | Facebook.
David Walker, head of road and leisure safety at Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents , said: “With the current weather conditions as they are, it’s important that people are especially careful around open waters. If you encounter somebody who is in trouble on or near ice, it’s vital that you don’t go in too.
“Call the emergency services on 999. If you can, find an object like a pole or a life-ring that they can hold onto and help them stay afloat.”
The tragic news was confirmed by West Midlands Police on Monday morning. Emergency services were first called to Babbs Mill Park in the Kingshurst area of Solihull, near Birmingham, at 2.36pm on Sunday, where it was reported four children had been playing on the ice and fallen into the lake.
Members of the public and police officers initially went into the chilly waters to try to get the youngsters out, before the children were reached by specialist water rescue-trained firefighters who got the group to safety. Those pulled from the water were given immediate life support by ambulance and fire service personnel before being taken to hospital.
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