Children caught playing on frozen lake day after Solihull tragedy

A group of children were caught playing on a frozen lake the day after three young boys lost their lives in Solihull.

Firefighters were called to Marsh Lane in Doncaster, Yorkshire, on Monday after young people were spotted on the frozen lake.

The incident happened just 24 hours after three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 died after they fell into an icy lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull, near Birmingham.

A six-year-old boy who was also pulled from the lake remains in hospital.

In a tweet on Monday afternoon, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said: "We’ve been called to an incident this afternoon involving young people playing on a frozen lake.

"Please speak to the youngsters in your life about the dangers of doing this - as we’ve seen in the Solihull Lake tragedy the consequences can be tragic. Stay safe."

Yahoo News UK has approached South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police for further comment.

Watch: Floral tributes left near Solihull lake after three boys died

There was a further police warning after reports of children playing on a frozen lake at Victoria Park, Widnes

Officers were patrolling the area and urging parents to speak to their children.

A vigil was held on Monday evening in Kingshurst, Solihull, for the three boys who died.

They were pulled from the water by emergency crews, including a police officer who tried to punch through the ice during the rescue efforts and ended up with mild hypothermia.

West Midlands Police said no one else had been reported missing.

Emergency services were first called to the scene at 2.36pm on Sunday.

Members of the public and police officers initially went into the chilly waters to try to get the youngsters out, before the children were reached by specialist water rescue-trained firefighters who got the group to safety.

Those pulled from the water were given immediate life support by ambulance and fire service personnel before being rushed to two Birmingham hospitals; Birmingham Children’s and Heartlands, where they all arrived in critical condition.

West Midlands Fire Service area commander Richard Stanton said: “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 events.

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

Watch: Locals hold vigil for three boys who died at Solihull lake