UK3 min(s) read
Published 10:49 15 Dec 2022 GMT
A six-year-old child has become the latest victim and fourth child to die after falling into an icy lake in the West Midlands, UK.
The incident occurred on Sunday (December 11), when a group of young children was playing on an icy lake following a snowy cold snap across the country. Per The Guardian, one of the boy's legs fell through the ice and, as the others tried to assist him, they fell through as well. Police and members of the public rushed to save the children, who were all pulled from the lake in cardiac arrest.
Reports have since revealed that the 10-year-old boy, Jack Johnson, had risked his own life trying to save the three other boys - none of whom he even knew.
According to the outlet, one police officer who tried to punch through the ice to reach the children was treated in hospital for mild hypothermia.
All four children - aged six, eight, 10, and 11 - were promptly taken to the hospital where the eldest three children "could not be revived," per the West Midlands Police, via The Independent. The youngest of the group had been fighting for his life and in a critical condition since then, however, sadly passed away on Wednesday (December 14).
West Midlands Police have since released statements on the devastating incident, saying: "It is with heartfelt sadness that we have to report this afternoon the six-year-old in hospital has lost his fight for life.
"Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragedy. We cannot comprehend the enormity of the pain they must feel and our hearts go out to them," they added.
A teenage girl had also tried to save the young boys with a broken tree branch after seeing them fall into the lake, telling ITV News Central (via The Independent) that she was on her way to meet a friend at a nearby park when she saw the group of children struggling in the lake after falling through the ice.
"I saw two boys in the water, I couldn't see the rest of them. I'm guessing most of them already fell into the lake," she said.
The Guardian reported that a search of the lake had continued in the days after the incident, following reports of up to six children falling in, but authorities confirmed on Wednesday that it is no longer a "search and rescue operation." There were no other casualties found and nobody else was reported missing.
"The searches have been completed and the scene of the incident at the lake will be lifted this evening," they said at the time.
Saqib Bhatti, a member of parliament for the constituency of Meriden, where the lake is situated, stated: "I'm saddened to learn the fourth child who was pulled out of the ice earlier this week did not survive. My heart goes out to the families in this difficult time. They are all in my thoughts and prayers."
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the community of Meriden at this devastating time.
