Desperate police officer got ‘hypothermia’ punching ice to save drowning boys
A police officer was treated for hypothermia after trying to save the children who crashed through ice on a frozen lake.
Three boys tragically died after falling through an iced over lake and suffering cardiac arrests at Babbs Mill Park, Solihull, West Midlands.
The young lads were aged just 11, 10 and eight.
READ MORE: Solihull lake tragedy sees 3 kids die after falling through ice – youngest victim just 8
A fourth child, six, remains in a critical condition at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
And it has now emerged that an officer risked his own life by trying to punch through the ice to rescue the boys.
Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: “Police officers did go into 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.
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Initial reports, saying people had "fallen through the ice," were logged at 2.36pm yesterday (Sunday, December 11), with calls to all three 999 responders.
Emergency services, alongside specialist water rescue teams, were immediately scrambled and first responders swarmed the scene.
The vehicles were seen lining nearby Fordbridge Road and Stonebridge Crescent as rescuers rushed to the lake.
A blue and white police cordon was erected around the lake as specialist water rescue teams continued the search.
'Several people' pulled from freezing lake in 'critical condition' after playing on ice
A fire service cordon was later extended to cover the entire park – both of these are still in place today (December 12).
Richard Stanton, area commander for West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, issued a warning for people to not risk their lives by walking on ice above open water.
He said: “We know that the weather forecast for the next few days is expected to be bitterly cold, please, adults and children alike, stay away from open water, under no circumstances venture on to ice regardless how thick or safe you think this ice may be.”
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