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SOLIHULL LAKE TRAGEDY: Two boys, 6 and 8, who died after falling into frozen lake revealed to be brothers

The siblings were reportedly trying to save their friends when they fell into the iced lake, one of them battled for life till Wednesday

BY PIYUSH ARORA

PUBLISHED DEC 15, 2022

Four boys were killed in Solihull tragedy (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM: Two of the four young boys, who tragically died after falling in a frozen lake in Solihull were brothers. The siblings, aged 6 and 8, were reportedly trying to save their friends when they fell into the iced lake at Babbs Mill nature reserve in Kingshurst on Sunday, December 11.

The six-year-old, who had been in critical condition since the tragedy, died on Wednesday, December 14, while his elder brother died in the early hours of Monday, December 12. The devastating tragedy also claimed the lives of two other boys, 10-year-old Jack Johnson and an 11-year-old named locally as Thomas. A GoFundMe launched to help the grief-stricken families confirmed the two youngest victims were brothers.

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"Our hearts are broken for the four Little Princes,” the fundraising page read, adding, "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.”

Emergency workers continue the search for further victims after a number of children fell through ice on a lake, on December 12, 2022 at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, England. Three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 have died after falling through an icy lake last night. The search continued for more potential victims, following reports more children were present on the ice at the time of the incident. — Emergency workers continue the search for further victims after a number of children fell through ice on a lake, on December 12, 2022 at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, England (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

"Sadly, Jack (aged 10) and a young boy (aged 11) lost their lives on Sunday, 11th December 2022. Another young boy (aged 8) passed away in the early hours of the morning on Monday, 12th December 2022,” the page added. It then added, “The younger brother of the 8-year-old, aged 6, remained in critical condition until Wednesday, 14th December 2022, when sadly, he gave up his fight and gained his wings."

Flowers are left at the scene as emergency workers continue the search for further victims after a number of children fell through ice on a lake, on December 12, 2022 at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, England. Three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 have died after falling through an icy lake last night. The search continued for more potential victims, following reports more children were present on the ice at the time of the incident. — Flowers are left at the scene as emergency workers continue the search for further victims after a number of children fell through ice on a lake, on December 12, 2022 at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, England (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The tragic incident, which occurred just days before Christmas, has left the close-knit community devastated. It is understood that all four boys suffered cardiac arrest after falling into the lake whilst playing in the park. Floral tributes, balloons, soft toys and lighted candles were left by mourners at a vigil held in Kingshurst, Solihull, near Birmingham, on Monday night. A second vigil is also scheduled to take place this coming Saturday, December 17.

Flowers are left near the scene after three young boys died when a number of children fell through ice on a lake, on December 12, 2022 at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, England. Three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 have died after falling through an icy lake last night. The search continued for more potential victims, following reports more children were present on the ice at the time of the incident. — Flowers are left near the scene after three young boys died when a number of children fell through ice on a lake, on December 12, 2022 at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, England (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Mourning the four deaths, the authorities said in a statement: "It is with heartfelt sadness 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.” Officers have completed their search at the lake and the cordon was lifted in the area on Wednesday night.