Three boys aged 11, 10 and eight have died after being pulled from an icy lake in Solihull on Sunday, West Midlands Police has said.
The youngsters were among four children to be rushed to hospital after crashing through ice while playing on a frozen pond. A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition.
Emergency services were first called to Babbs Mill Park in the Kingshurst area of Solihull, West Midlands, near Birmingham at 2.36pm on Sunday, where it was reported four children had been playing on the ice and fallen through 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 rushed to two Birmingham hospitals; Birmingham Children's and Heartlands, where they all arrived in critical condition.
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."
Scottish health secretary Humza Yousaf was among those to post a tribute to the tragic youngsters, writing on Twitter: "Devastating news. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers go to the families, friends and communities grieving for this unimaginable loss, it is every parent's worst nightmare."
Police added that searches of the lake were continuing to establish whether anyone else fell into the water, following reports as many as six children may have been involved. Temperatures are thought to have plunged to 1C (34F) in the area at the time of the incident, falling to -3C (26F) overnight.
Officers disclosed on Sunday night the children had suffered cardiac arrests as a result of plunging into the below-zero water. Several police cars, ambulances and fire crews were parked in the area's Fordbridge Road, onto the Stonebridge Crescent estate, reports our sister title Birmingham Live.
Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council, said: "This is just about as bad as it can get. This is a dreadful situation. We are completely stunned by what's happened. We are still awaiting more news.
"Our thoughts and prayers have to be with the families in this situation. It's terrible, I can hardly imagine what the families are going through at this time."
St Anthony's Primary School, which is also situated next to the lake on Fordbridge Road, posted: "School will be closed for pupils tomorrow due to the incident at Babbs Mill. Please keep all those affected in your prayers at this difficult time."
West Midlands Fire Service said crews were called to the scene following reports that people who had been playing on the ice of a pond and had fallen through the surface.
The WMP spokesperson added: "We've been working alongside colleagues from the fire and ambulance services as we do all we can to support those involved. Searches of the lake are continuing as we seek to establish exactly what happened and if anyone else fell into the water.
"We understand how distressing this is for the families and the wider community. We would ask people to not speculate or share any video footage at this stage."
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