One of the children who died after falling into a frozen lake in Solihull has been named locally as 10-year-old Jack Johnson.
On December 11, a rescue operation was launched after reports that up to six children fell in an icy lake at Babbs Mill Park, Solihull, per Sky News.
Three boys aged 11, 10, and eight were confirmed to have died after going into cardiac arrest when they fell into the freezing water, while another boy - aged six - remains in critical condition in hospital.
As reported by the Daily Mail, 0ne of the boys that tragically died has been identified by the family as Jack Johnson. A neighbor told the outlet that Jack and the other children were "playing on top of the frozen lake when the ice cracked".
"Jack and the other lads saw that it had been snowing from the flats and wanted to go and play," they continued. "It’s so tragic. Jack was a lovely lad. I know his dad Kirk. He is devastated. My heart goes out to him."
A family friend named Dale Hewitt also spoke with the Telegraph and said that Jack's grandfather jumped into the water to desperately try and save his grandson.
"It's just heartbreaking for the family and this will have a massive impact on the whole community," he said. "I also know the grandfather of two of the kids involved. I heard that he ran down from where he lives and jumped into the lake to try to save them.
"What's happened is so sad. I've got two kids aged six and 11 months and it has really affected me. I saw a video taken from one of the tower blocks where you can hear these screams of 'Help' coming from the lake. It was unbearable," he added.
Many people in the local community, including many schoolchildren, placed flowers and notes in tribute to the three boys at the base of a tree near the northern entrance to the park. One of the other victims of the tragedy was also identified as Thomas.
The message read: "To my friend Thomas. Thanks for being there for me when I was sad. Thanks for lending me your jacket when I was cold. You were like a brother to me. I miss you so much."
Emergency services called to the scene were unable to save the three boys - with one police officer suffering mild hypothermia after trying to punch through the ice to rescue them.
Superintendent Richard Harris told reporters, via BBC, that officers "did go into the water," with some even going in "waist-deep" to rescue the children.
"One of my officers was trying to punch through the ice to actually rescue the children themselves. That officer, as a result of that, had some mild hypothermia yesterday," adding that he had since been released from the hospital after being taken there as a precaution.
"On behalf of West Midlands Police, I would like to pass on our deepest sympathies at this time. The tragic circumstances yesterday afternoon, so close to Christmas time, and our sympathies with the families who have lost loved ones in this incident," Harris added.
Furthermore, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has issued a statement urging people to be careful around open water, especially when iced over, per the Independent.
A RoSPA spokesperson said: "The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is deeply saddened by the tragic events at Babbs Mill Park, Kingshurst in Solihull, and extends its condolences to the families and communities impacted by the news.
"RoSPA is urging people across Britain to be especially cautious around open waters during the current extreme weather conditions that Britain is facing," they continued.
"With news of the Met Office’s current yellow weather warning, where temperatures are set to drop as low as -15 in parts of Britain, RoSPA is concerned that icy conditions could result in further harm," the society added.
Our hearts go out to all the families affected by this tragedy.