BBC News reader struggles to speak as she shares news of deaths of three boys in icy Solihull lake
Solihull #Solihull
Presenter Joanna Gosling became choked up during an edition of BBC News as she broke the news of the tragic deaths of three boys after they were pulled from an icy lake. It was confirmed on Monday morning (December 12) the three boys who have lost their lives are aged eight, 10 and 11.
A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital. It comes after emergency services were first called to Babbs Mill Park in the Kingshurst area of Solihull, West Midlands, near Birmingham at 2.36pm on Sunday (December 11), where it was reported four children had been playing on the ice and fallen through into the lake.
Members of the public and police officers initially rushed into the chilly waters to try to get the youngsters out, before the children were reached by specialist water rescue-trained firefighters who got the group to safety. Those pulled from the water were given immediate life support by ambulance and fire service personnel before being rushed to two Birmingham hospitals; Birmingham Children’s and Heartlands, where they all arrived in critical condition.
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In an update on Monday morning, West Midlands Police said: “Three boys have tragically died after falling into the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull yesterday afternoon. The boys, aged 11, 10 and eight, were rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water.
“Sadly, they could not be revived and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this deeply devastating time. We’ll have specialist officers offering them as much support as we can. A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.”
Gosling was the one to break the awful news on the BBC, saying: “I have some really sad news to bring you, we are hearing three boys – aged 10, 11 and eight – have died…” She briefly paused before continuing: “after being pulled from an icy lake in Solihull. So we known the four people had been rescued…”
Gosling then said. “I am so sorry…” as she struggled to speak and tears filled her eyes. “This is terrible news,” she added before continuing with the statement that confirmed the three deaths.
During a press conference this afternoon, police said they have had no contact from anyone suggesting there are others missing after an incident at a lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull but will keep searching on Monday to make “100% certain”. Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: “We have to be 100% certain that there is no one else possibly in the water at this time.
“It’s important to stress though that we’ve had no contact from anybody suggesting that there’s anybody else missing but until we’re 100% certain we will be carrying on searches throughout the course of today.” It was also revealed that one officer was treated for hypothermia after trying to punch through ice in an effort to rescue children from the lake.
Superintendent Harris added to reporters: “Police officers did go into the water. They were joined by other members of the other emergency services. Some of the officers went in waist-deep. 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. I’m pleased to say that he’s now been released from hospital and he’s absolutely fine.”
Superintendent Harris said there are a number of witnesses officers still want to speak to and appealed for anyone with information to contact the force. West Midlands Fire Service area commander Richard Stanton also said the deaths of three boys who fell into a frozen lake was a “stark reminder” of the dangers of open water.
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