Devastated firefighters have left a floral tribute at the lake in Solihull, where three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 died following a tragic incident.
The group of firefighters, who tried to save the boys during the rescue effort, donned protective overalls and placed a floral tribute near the Babbs Mill lake in the Kingshurst area of Solihull, Birmingham.
Seven sombre-looking firefighters formed a line as they laid bouquets of flowers while being applauded by members of the public for their bravery.
A card attached to the flowers read: “With deepest sympathy. Rest in peace boys. Love from Sheldon Red Watch.”
West Midlands mayor Andy Street also left a tribute at the scene.
It read: "Such a tragedy. So unnecessary. My heart goes out to the families that have lost their most precious gift.
"May their young lives rest in peace, and may Kingshurst come together to remember them."
Dozens of local people, including many schoolchildren, attended the scene where the youngsters died after falling through thin ice on Sunday night.
Hundreds of people were seen placing bunches of flowers in tribute to the three boys at the base of a tree near the northern entrance to the nature park.
Local woman Katie O’Driscoll, who was accompanied by her five-year-old daughter, also placed flowers at the site.
The mother of four said: “Anyone that has got kids can really relate to that we feel heartbroken as a community. The whole community cares – they will be kids that we know because we are a close-knit community.
“It’s affected everybody. It’s devastating and it’s sad.”
A fourth boy currently remains in critical condition in hospital, say West Midlands Police.
Emergency crews were initially told six people had been seen on the ice, and recovery search operations continued on Monday.
At a press conference at the scene on Monday afternoon, Superintendent Richard Harris said the affected families were, understandably, “absolutely devastated”, especially because it was so close to Christmas.
He said: “We are supporting the families. We have specialist trained officers who are linking in with the families at this time to offer as much support as we can.”
Superintendent Harris added that the search of the lake would continue, but there were no reports of anyone else missing beyond the four boys, saying: “We have to be 100% certain that there is no one else possibly in the water at this time. We will be here for as long as it takes.”
The area commander of West Midlands fire service, Richard Stanton, said: “The boys’ deaths are a tragedy beyond words. Yesterday’s incident is a stark reminder to us all of the dangers of open water, especially during the winter months. Frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can look picturesque, but they can be lethal.
“There are no greater warnings of this than yesterday’s tragic events. We would ask parents and carers to remind their children of the dangers of ice and why they must keep off it.
"Please help us to avoid this happening again.”
