Following the deaths of three young boys after they fell through a frozen lake in Babbs Mill Lake in Solihull, urgent advice has been issued in a bid to stop further tragedies.
The youngsters aged eight, 10 and 11 were pulled from the water and rushed to hospital, but had all had cardiac arrests and were later pronounced dead.
A fourth boy, aged six, continues to fight for life following the horror which unfolded on Sunday.
It has emerged that desperate bystanders tried to smash the ice to free the boys when they fell through.
And now the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued advice on what to do if you witness someone falling through ice, as temperatures continue to drop across the country and are reaching lows not seen for more than a decade.
RoSPA says:
- Call the emergency services on 999
- Do not attempt to go out on to the ice yourself
- Tell the person to stay still to maintain heat and energy
- Try finding something which will extend your reach, such as a rope, pole or branch
- Throw the object out and, once ensuring you are stable on the bank either by lying down or having someone hold on to you, pull them in
- If you cannot find something to reach with, try finding an object that will float and push that out to them
- Ensure that you keep off the ice at all times during the rescue, continue to reassure the casualty and keep them talking until help arrives
- Once the person has been rescued, keep them warm and take them to hospital even if they appear to be unaffected
David Walker, head of road and leisure safety at RoSPA, 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."
The Royal Life Saving Society has also issued urgent winter weather advice.
An RLSS spokeswoman said" "In winter, children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water, and adults can find themselves at risk in attempting to save them.
"Taking a nice walk in cold weather with your family, friends or dogs in tow can be really refreshing, just make sure you know some simple tips on how to stay safe in winter.
"Areas with frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can be beautiful places to visit during the winter months but all too often many people risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water.
"Here are some useful tips to help you know what to do in an emergency:
Teach children not to go onto the ice under any circumstances
Don’t go onto ice or into the water to rescue a dog, move to somewhere that the dog will be able to climb out and call them towards you
Keep dogs on their leads when near ice and don’t throw sticks or toys onto the ice
Time your walks to make the most of the daylight; if you need to walk in the evening only use well-lit areas or take a route not alongside water
When walking alongside water keep back from the edge
