Vigil held for three boys who died in icy lake near Solihull

Flowers, balloons and soft toys were left by mourners gathering for a vigil after the deaths of three boys who plunged into an icy lake.

The three, aged eight, 10 and 11, were pulled from a lake in Babbs Mill Park, Solihull, on Sunday, but later died.

Police said searches of the water would continue throughout Tuesday but have stressed there is no suggestion anybody else is missing.

A six-year-old boy who was also rescued remains in hospital.

Dozens gathered for the vigil in Kingshurst on Monday night.

Members of the public and police officers initially went into the water to try to get the children, before the victims were reached by specialist water rescue-trained firefighters who got the group out.

A police officer had to punch through the ice to rescue to boys, West Midlands Police said.

Police were being guided by the families as to how much information was made available to the media, Supt Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, said, and they were doing “everything we possibly can to support them”.

One resident, Dan, said he could hear sirens from his flat that looks over the lake.

He said he had grabbed three jackets when he had seen emergency services and people running to the scene.

“I gave two jackets that I had on as soon as they pulled the first two [boys] out, I came running back and got another two or three jackets and a couple of towels.

“Then 15 minutes later I am back in my flat and they’d brought them up on stretchers,” Dan said.

Solihull councillor Ian Courts said: “We are completely stunned at what’s happened.

“Clearly our thoughts and prayers have to be with the families in this situation. I can hardly imagine what the families are going through.”

At least one of the boys attended St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School which shut on Monday after the incident. The school reopened on Tuesday morning.

Marcus Brain, chair of governors, said: “It’s a very, very close-knit community, we’ve got families that have been here for five generations, everybody knows everybody else.

“Everybody I’ve spoken to… are in an utter state of shock.”

Mother-of-four Comfort Konfor said she had not been able to sleep and had just kept praying.

“The image keeps coming to mind of children,” she said.

Pastor Emil Kerekes, from Connection Church Kingshurst, said he wanted the families to know they were here to support them.

“All the other church leaders and group leaders in the local community, we want to get together and maybe come up with a plan to somehow help them,” he said.

Police believe there were a number of witnesses at the lake they are yet to speak to and are urging them to come forward.

Supt Harris said the families affected by the tragedy were “absolutely devastated”.

He added: “Also this time of year, it’s on the run-up to Christmas, so close to the event itself, also adds to that tragedy.

The force said they were doing their very best to support the families.

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