Solihull: Two of four boys who died after falling through ice were brothers

Charlie Herbert

The dad of one of the boys jumped in to try and save them

Two of the four boys who died after falling through a frozen lake in Solihull were brothers, with the dad of one of the youngsters jumping into the water to try and rescue them.

The brothers, agerd six and eight, were playing on the ice in Babbs Mill Park in Kinghurst with 10-year-old Jack Johnson and an 11-year-old boy, when it broke around 2.30pm.

The four children were taken to hospital and placed on life support.

All four of the boys died following the tragedy, with the death of the six-year-old boy confirmed on Wednesday (December 14).

We cannot comprehend the enormity of the pain they must feel and our hearts go out to them.

Specialist officers remain in contact with the family and we will issue further information as soon as we can.

— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) December 14, 2022

It has now emerged the dad of one the four boys had jumped into the freezing water to save them.

And a GoFundMe launched to support the heartbroken families of the victims also confirmed that two of the lads were brothers.

The page reads: “Our hearts are broken for the four Little Princes.

“On Sunday, 11th December 2022, a group of children played in a local park near an open lake. Being children and adventurous, they forgot the dangers taught by their parents and risked going onto the icy lake.

“Four boys fell through the ice and into the lake. The frantic father of one of the lads and a dog walker entered the lake to try and help the boys.

“The emergency and rescue services arrived promptly and began the rescue.

“This tragedy is heartbreaking, has brought a community together, and has affected people’s hearts worldwide. Condolences go out to all three families and their relatives.”

At the time of writing, £17,412 has been raised for the families, surpassing the initial £10,000 target for the page.

Specialist diving teams were in the water until Tuesday, although police have stressed they have not had reports of anyone else missing.

They added all searches had now been completed and the cordon would be lifted.

On Wednesday, police said their deepest sympathies were with the families and friends of the children.

“We cannot comprehend the enormity of the pain they must feel and our hearts go out to them,” a statement said.

On Tuesday, the 10-year-old victim was identified by a relative as Jack Johnson.

According to Jack’s aunt, Charlotte McIlmurray, the youngster didn’t know the other children involved in the tragedy but bravely ran in to help those in trouble when he heard screams from the lake.

She posted on Facebook: “The 10-year-old boy is my nephew. He saw one go through the ice and he ran and tried to save them.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the other family. We are just broken over it.

“To find out he died trying to save 3 lads he didn’t even know, that just sums him up. He was amazing.”

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