A schoolgirl has recalled the "horrifying" moment she attempted to rescue four boys who plunged into a frozen lake in Solihull.
On December 11, a rescue operation was launched after reports stated that up to six children fell in an icy lake at Babbs Mill Park, Solihull, per BBC.
Police officers confirmed that three of the four victims - aged eight, 10, and 11 - tragically died after plunging through the ice while playing on the lake, while a fourth, aged six, is fighting for his life in hospital.
As reported by ITV News, it's been revealed that 13-year-old Oliwia Szewc - who was meeting a friend when the tragedy struck - desperately tried to help the victims by pulling off tree branches to pass to them so that they could be pulled out of the lake.
Oliwia told ITV News what her first thoughts were after seeing them fall in: "I was just trying my best to think of different ways to at least help them or do anything for them to float on the surface of the water so they wouldn't drown."
The teenager explained that she knew that she would have to wait for emergency services before a man - who she believed to be one of the youngsters' relatives - leaped into the water.
"He jumped into the frozen lake and cut up his legs but couldn't really do anything because he was putting his own life at risk. He didn't go any farther because the police held him back," she said.
Oliwia said that one of the boys' mothers arrived at the scene and was "in a panic" as authorities consoled her while trying to break up the frozen ice. She also called the West Midlands Police on 999 and described the call as a "whole panic" because she was "still in shock".
When the victims were finally pulled out, the young girl said ambulance workers "were asking for jackets and coats to try to bring the boys' temperature back up".
"I gave my coat, my friend gave her jacket. We were just kind of praying that the boys would be all right. I was willing to give up anything just at least to save one of them," Oliwia said. "Knowing that one of them's still in hospital is kind of a relief because I was at least able to help someone.
"It was just horrifying and I was just clueless because I tried to help but I couldn't but I tried my best," she added.
Tragically, the boys were pulled from the lake by police and fire crews in cardiac arrest due to the extreme cold, and the three older children could not be saved. Initial reports had suggested that up to six children had fallen in but police said no one else had been found or reported missing.
Many people in the local community have paid tribute to the young lives lost. Bouquets of flowers and cards have been left at the base of a tree near the northern entrance to the park.
School children, emergency services, NHS, politicians, the local soccer team Marston Green FC and friends of the three boys have all paid their respects.
One victim of the tragedy was identified as Thomas after a friend left a note in his memory. In addition to this, another victim was also named locally as 10-year-old Jack Johnson. He reportedly attempted to save the other children that had fallen in when the ice cracked, per Daily Mail.
Our thoughts continue to be with the families of the victims.
