Heroic boy, 10, ‘died trying to save his friends’ after running into frozen lake to rescue them

A boy of ten died a hero trying to save three others who had fallen through ice into a lake, a distraught relative revealed last night.

The boy, named locally as Jack Johnson, ‘ran and tried to save’ the other children – whom he did not know and who are all believed to be from one family – his aunt Charlotte McIlmurray wrote on Facebook.

Family friend Dale Hewitt said he had heard that the boy’s grandfather, who he named as Peter, ‘ran down from where he lives and jumped in the lake to try to save them’ but Jack and two boys aged eight and 11 died after being pulled from the lake on Sunday, while a fourth, aged six, was fighting for his life in hospital last night.

The heartbroken community of Solihull gathered at Babbs Mill Park on Monday evening to pay tribute to the young boys. Dozens of people, including lots of children, placed bunches of flowers, balloons and candles at the base of a tree in the park near Birmingham. 

One of the boys who died after plunging into a frozen lake in Solihull was 10-year-old Jack Johnson (pictured with his father Kirk) who had been playing on the ice, MailOnline can reveal

Family of Jack Johnson (pictured here) say he jumped into the lake to try and rescue someone who had fallen through the ice

Jack (pictured here with his father Kirk) suffered a cardiac arrest after entering the water on Sunday

Mourners light candles next to floral and written tributes to the three boys who tragically died in the incident in Babbs Mill Park on Sunday

Locals also gathered to give their well wishes for the fourth boy who remains in hospital in a critical condition

Roofer Mr Hewitt, 29, added:  ‘It’s just heartbreaking for the family and will have a massive impact on the whole community. What’s happened is so sad. I’ve got two kids aged six and 11 months and it has really affected me. I saw a video taken from one of the tower blocks where you can hear these screams of “Help” coming from the lake. It was unbearable.’

Ms McIlmurray, 28, said her family’s thoughts were also ‘with the other family’, adding: ‘We are just broken over it and to find out he died trying to save three lads he didn’t even know that just sums him up he was amazing.’

Others described the incident on Sunday afternoon as ‘a tragedy beyond words’. The children had been playing on the ice at Babbs Mill Lake in Solihull, West Midlands, when it gave way. Tommy Barnet, ten, told Sky News: ‘One got their legs stuck in the ice and then… his friends went to go and save him, but they all fell in.’

The boys were all in cardiac arrest when they were rescued by firefighters after members of the public also waded in to help. All four were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

Initial reports suggested up to six children had fallen in but police said they are satisfied no one else was in the lake as no other children had been reported missing.

Superintendent Richard Harris of West Midlands Police said the families of the boys were ‘devastated’. He appeared emotional as he told how one officer who was first on the scene desperately tried to punch through the ice to save the boys. He was treated in hospital for mild hypothermia.

Dan Hall, 38, saw the tragedy unfold from his flat which is next to the nature reserve.

Jack (pictured) and three other boys aged six, eight, 10 and 11, were taken to hospital in a critical condition after suffering cardiac arrests having fallen through ice at Babbs Mill Park at 2.30pm yesterday

Police officers are seen on the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull today

The seven firefighters paused for a few moments of reflection before leaving the scene, having been applauded by several local people for their efforts to save the youngsters

Dozens of people, including lots of children, placed bunches of flowers, balloons and candles at the base of a tree in the park near Birmingham

The devastated local community laid candles at an organised vigil at Babbs Mill Lake on Monday evening

He said: ‘I heard the sirens at about 2.30pm. I started down to the lake and there was a girl of about 13 with her younger sister. The younger girl was hysterical, saying “My brother, my brother” over and over and the older girl was trying to calm her down telling her not to think like that.

‘I saw a police officer come up from the lake drenched. There were a lot of hysterical people down there.

‘One man, who may well have been the father of one of the kids, was being consoled by a police officer. He was in a terrible state.

‘I saw them take the first two children from the lake and then I ran back to my flat to get some towels and coats.’

He said the children were in the water for ten to 15 minutes. The temperature at the time was around 1C (34F) but had fallen to minus 3C the previous night. 

Mother-of-four Katie O’Driscoll, 32, laid flowers at the scene yesterday with her five-year-old daughter. She said: ‘I know one of the families involved. He was 11 and the first to be pulled from the lake but he has passed away.

‘I heard that the others went in to try and rescue him. It is really hard to imagine what those parents are going through. It is so sad, especially just before Christmas.

‘A dog walker went in to try and help, too. I would expect nothing less from people around here. We’re a really tight community.’

She said the lake was ‘no more than 5ft deep’, adding: ‘I think now they should put railings all the way round it. There are railings but only in one small section.’

A tribute left at the scene to one victim read: ‘To my friend Thomas. Thanks for being there for me when I was sad. Thanks for lending me your jacket when I was cold. You were like a brother to me. I miss you so much.’

Heartbroken locals hugged each other during a vigil to commemorate the three boys who died

A woman bends down to read the heart-rendering messages left for the three young boys

Tearful residents near the scene of the shocking incident, as police continued to search the lake

Emergency workers took to the lake on Sunday evening for the search amid difficult weather conditions 

A search diver is seen rising from the water of the Babbs Mill Lake last night 

Nearby St Anthony’s primary school announced it had closed today, and called for people to ‘keep those affected in your prayers’ 

Last night around 250 people attended a candlelit vigil. Eight West Midlands Police officers were applauded as they arrived at the scene to lay flowers. One officer, who was visibly distressed, was supported and hugged by her colleagues as they walked away.

Among the tributes was one from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street. The card attached read: ‘Such a tragedy. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their most precious gift. May their young lives rest in peace and may Kingshurst come together to remember them.’

On Facebook, Ms McIlmurray thanked the local community for organising the event and said the incident was a ‘nightmare that two families can’t wake from. The pain is unimaginable’.

Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: ‘This is devastating news for the family and friends of those who have died. The Prime Minister’s thoughts are with them and he passes his thanks to the emergency services who are continuing to work and provide support.’

West Midlands Fire Service area commander Richard Stanton said the tragedy was a ‘stark reminder’ that frozen lakes ‘look picturesque but can be lethal’.

Police in York warned teenagers at the weekend about playing on ice while in Cumbria two boys had a lucky escape after falling through ice. Yesterday morning, two girls were spotted playing on a frozen pond at Wimbledon Common.