Fourth boy pulled from Babbs Mill Lake in Kingshurst, Solihull has died West Midlands Police announce

A fourth boy has died after falling into a freezing Babbs Mill Lake in Kingshurst, Solihull, on Sunday afternoon.

West Midlands Police has confirmed that the six year-old boy had lost his fight for his life on Wednesday evening (December 14). It was announced that his three friends aged eight, 10 and 11, were "rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water" but "sadly could not be revived" on Monday.

The children were believed to have been playing near the frozen lake. It is reported that one rushed in to save the others when he saw they were in trouble. Searches were ended at the nature reserve yesteday evening (Wednesday).

West Midlands Police said: “It is with heartfelt sadness that we have to report this afternoon, the six-year-old in hospital has lost his fight for life.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragedy. 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. The searches have been completed and the scene of the incident at the lake will be lifted this evening.”

West Midlands Fire Service said: We’re devastated to hear the fourth child rescued from the Babbs Mill Lake incident a few days ago has very sadly died. We wish the family strength and comfort in these tragic circumstances.”

Members of the public, fire fighters and police entered the lake at Babbs Mill nature reserve, on Fordbridge Road, to attempt to rescue the children. The four suffered cardiac arrest when they were pulled from the water. A girl was heard shouting: “My brother, my brother.”

Emergency services teams arrived at the scene within seven minutes after social media reports showed the boys getting into trouble. One officer suffered hypothermia as he punched through ice to reach them.

The six year-old boy was receiving care at Heartlands Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. One boy has been named as 10-year-old Jack Johnson, who was described as a “hero” after he jumped into the lake to try and save other children.

West Midlands Police worked alongside West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service. Nearby St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School has opened after closing on Monday.

A spokesperson for the school said on Twitter: “Never has our motto being more meaningful, ‘actions speak louder than words’ . We will support our children and families the best we can.”

Hundreds attended a candlelit vigil in memory of the boys on Monday night. Tributes continue to pour in for them and a further vigil is planned for Saturday at 4pm. Fire fighters and police officers have been applauded as they laid their floral tributes to the Babbs Mill Boys.

Prime Minister Rish Sunak and Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer paid tribut to the boys in Parliament. Other high profile tributes were paid by footballer Jude Bellingham, Birmingham City manager John Eustace and rapper Lady Leshurr who grew up in Kingshurst.

Speaking at the a press conference from the side of Babbs Mill Lake, on Monday Supt Richard Harris said: We are deeply saddened by the death of the three boys who were rescued by our fire fighters yesterday, here at Babbs Mill Lake in Solihull.

“The boys deaths are a tragedy beyond words and our thoughts and our heartfelt sympathies, along with West Midlands Fire Service are with their families, friends and the wider community at this distressing time. Yesterday’s incident is a stark reminder to us all of the dangers of open water, especially during the winter months.

“Frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can look picturesque, but they can be lethal  - and there are no greater warnings of this than yesterday’s tragic event.

“We would ask parents and carers to remind their children of the dangers and advise why they must keep off it. Please help us to avoid this from happening again.

“We will continue to work closely with our emergency service colleagues to provide any support we can at the scene. Again, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to everyone who has been affected by this.”

More than two dozen emergency services workers rushed to the scene on Sunday (December 11) at the local beauty spot where the lake was covered in ice. The incident began at around 2.30pm. Drones were spotted flying overhead. West Midlands Fire Service sent a specialist water rescue team.

A police spokesperson said on Sunday: “We are currently at the scene of a serious incident at Babbs Mill Park, Fordbridge Road, #Kingshurst, #Solihull. A number of people have been pulled from a lake and are being transported to hospital. They are believed to be in a critical condition.”

One person has claimed that five children were playing on the frozen lake and fell through the ice. Another said one child is still missing. While it has also been claimed that adults fell into danger as they attempted to rescue children.

Babbs Mill Park is a local nature reserve with a lake, river, wildflower grasslands and woodlands.

What has West Midlands Police said about the incident at Babbs Mill Lake?

Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, told an emergency services press conference on Sunday evening: “Four children were rescued from the lake and subsequently taken to hospital.

“On behalf of West Midlands Police we understand how distressing this is for families and the wider community and we are doing everything we can to support all those involved.”

Anyone with footage or information is being asked to send it to police via: West Midlands Police incidents portal

What have West Midlands Ambulance said about the incident at Babbs Mill Lake in Solihull?

Five ambulances, four paramedic officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team, were sent to the scene along with five enhanced care teams: the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic, West Midlands Care Team, The Air Ambulance Service Critical Care Car and three critical care paramedics from Midlands Air Ambulance.

On Sunday a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “After being rescued, the four children were immediately assessed and actively treated at the scene by ambulance staff. All four were taken on blue lights to hospital, each with an enhance care team travelling with the ambulance crew, with treatment ongoing.

“Two were taken to Birmingham Childrens Hospital and two to Heartlands Hospital. All four children were said to be in a critical condition on arrival.

“The Hazardous Area Response Team continued to work with colleagues from police and fire at the scene until around 6.30pm to ascertain if there was anyone else in the water. Ambulance resources have now stood down.”

What has West Midlands Fire Service said about the Babbs Mill Lake incident?

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire service said: “At 2.36pm on Sunday 11 December, West Midlands Fire Service, along with West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Police, were called to Babbs Mill Park in Solihull.

“Reports from the scene and videos on social media indicate that people had been playing on the ice on a pond and had fallen through. Our specialist water rescue teams arrived and acted assertively to take control of the scene and carry out rescues using specialist equipment and entering the water.

“Casualties have received medical support at the scene from both firefighters and ambulance personnel prior to being taken to nearby hospitals.

“The incident is still a search and rescue operation, being led by West Midlands Fire Service. We would ask people to allow emergency services at the scene to go about their work in a safe and effective way. We will release further details when appropriate with our fellow blue-light partners.”