Boys warned to stop smashing ice on frozen lake with scooter

A group of boys had to be warned by police after they were spotted standing on a frozen pond and trying to smash the ice with a scooter.

North Yorkshire Police spoke to them during a patrol through Rowntree Park on Sunday, as much of the region was covered in snow and ice amid a sudden cold snap.

The force tweeted: "They’ve been suitably advised to give more thought to their life choices."

One follower replied, "thank goodness you were there", pointing out how it could have easily ended like another incident that same day in the West Midlands, in which three boys died after falling into a frozen lake.

Police have issued a series of warnings urging people to be extra vigilant around icy ponds and lakes, following the tragic incident at Babbs Mill Park, Solihull which saw three children, aged eight, 10 and 11, killed.

Temperatures were thought to have plunged to 1C in the area at the time of the incident, falling to -3C overnight. A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Floral tributes, balloons, soft toys and lighted candles were left by mourners at a vigil held in Solihull's Kingshurst neighbourhood.

Read more: Ambulance workers may ignore cardiac arrests amid strikes, union boss warns

West Midlands Fire Service area commander Richard Stanton said the deaths of the three boys were a tragic reminder of the dangers of open water.

“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," he said.

“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.”