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BBC presenter responds after being overcome by emotion during Solihull news report

Watch: BBC presenter visibly emotional as she announces death of boys in frozen lake

A BBC presenter who was visibly overcome by emotion while announcing the deaths of three boys who fell into a frozen lake has spoken out about the moment.

Three boys – aged 11, 10 and eight – died after being pulled from Babbs Mill Lake in Kingshurst, Solihull, on Sunday, while a fourth boy, aged six, remains in critical condition in hospital.

Joanna Gosling broke the news of the deaths on Monday morning – and battled to hold back tears.

Gosling has now responded to people who sent her supportive messages.

She tweeted: “I can’t respond to all your kind messages after the heartbreaking news of yesterday, but I want to, so this is to say I hugely appreciate the care that has come my way. Thank you.

“It was shocking news and thoughts are with those who are suffering this terrible loss.”

Joanna Gosling paused as she fought back tears while announcing the deaths of the boys in Solihull. (BBC)
Joanna Gosling paused as she fought back tears while announcing the deaths of the boys in Solihull. (BBC)

In the footage, Gosling struggled to speak as she told viewers: "I have some really sad news to bring you, we are hearing three boys – aged 10, 11 and eight – have died.”

Visibly upset, Gosling paused for several moments as she composed herself before saying: "I am so sorry…this is terrible news.”

Police divers search the lake in Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst, Solihull, after the deaths of three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 who fell through ice into the lake in the West Midlands. Picture date: Tuesday December 13, 2022. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
Police divers search the lake in Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst, Solihull, after the deaths of three boys. (PA/Getty)
21 Officers from West Midlands Police lay bouquets of flowers and stood in silence near to the scene in Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst, Solihull, after the deaths of three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 who fell through ice into a lake in the West Midlands. Picture date: Tuesday December 13, 2022. (Photo by Richard Vernalls/PA Images via Getty Images)
Officers from West Midlands Police lay bouquets of flowers and stand in silence near to the scene of the tragedy in Babbs Mill Park. (PA/Getty)
Upset mourners look at the flowers and tributes near to Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst, Solihull, after the deaths of three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 who fell through ice into a lake in the West Midlands. Picture date: Tuesday December 13, 2022. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
Upset mourners look at the flowers and tributes near to Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst, Solihull. (PA/Getty)

The Babbs Mill Lake tragedy has led to an outpouring of grief from the community of Chelmsley Wood, where a makeshift memorial has emerged.

Numerous bunches of flowers left near the scene included tributes from the emergency services, the NHS, local politicians, Marston Green FC and friends of the boys.

People of all ages have continued to arrive to pay their respects, with some bringing children’s toys, sweets, balloons and bouquets.

Specialist dive teams combed the lake on Tuesday, although West Midlands Police stressed there were no reports of any other children missing, and the searches are thought to be in order to assist in piecing together the circumstances of what happened.

In March this year, Gosling apologised on-air after becoming overwhelmed with emotion while announcing the “moving” news of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s returning home from Iran, where she has been in custody since 2016.

The 51-year-old told viewers: “Sorry, this is a moving moment because these are people who have been detained for some time.”