Schoolgirl, 13, recalls the ‘horrifying’ moment she tore branches off trees to try and help rescue four boys who fell into icy Solihull lake – as boy, 6, fights for his life and tributes are laid for the three who died
- Oliwia Szewc, 13, was meeting a friend when tragedy struck in Babbs Mill Park
- She tried to pull branches to help drag the boys out but said they were too short
- Teen and her friend offered their coats to keep boys warm and ‘prayed’ for them
A brave schoolgirl has recalled the ‘horrifying’ moment she attempted to save four boys who fell into a frozen lake in Solihull at the weekend.
Three of the four victims, aged eight, 10 and 11 tragically died after plunging through the ice at Babbs Mill Park, while a fourth, aged just six, is fighting for his life in hospital.
Oliwia Szewc, 13, who was meeting a friend on Sunday when the tragedy struck, said she was desperately pulling off tree branches to pass to the boys to help pull them out but that they were all too short.
She and her friend later offered up their coats to help bring their temperatures up after they were brought to land, while ‘praying they would be alright.’
Oliwia Szewc (pictured), 13, who was meeting a friend on Sunday when the tragedy struck, said she was desperately pulling off tree branches to try and pass to the boys to help pull them out but that they were all too short
On her first thoughts upon arriving to the scene, she told ITV News: ‘I was just trying my best to think of different ways to at least help them or do anything for them to float on the surface of the water so they wouldn’t drown.’
She said she knew she would have to wait for emergency services before a man she believed to be one of the boys’ relatives jumped into the water.
Oliwia added: ‘He jumped into the frozen lake and cut up his legs but couldn’t really do anything because he was putting his own life at risk. He didn’t go any farther because the police held him back.’
The teenager said one of the boys’ mother arrived and was ‘in a panic’ as police officers comforted her while breaking up the ice.
The young girl had given directions to West Midlands Police after calling 999, describing the call as a ‘whole panic’ as she was ‘still in shock’.
When the boys were pulled out, she said ambulance workers ‘were asking for jackets and coats to try to bring the boys, like, temperature back up.’
She added: ‘I gave my coat, my friend gave her jacket. We were just kind of praying that the boys would be all right. I was willing to give up anything just at least to save one of them.
Applause rang out as West Midlands Police officers arrived to pay their own respects – after their heroic efforts were widely reported
The search in the lake continued today (pictured) amid fears there may have been more victims
Ten-year-old Jack Johnson was among the boys who lost their lives, with his aunt saying on Facebook that he ‘ran and tried to save’ three other children – aged six, eight and 11 – who had been on the frozen lake when the ice broke
‘Knowing that one of them’s still in hospital is kind of a relief because I was at least able to help someone. It was just horrifying and I was just clueless because I tried to help but I couldn’t but I tried my best.’
It comes after a heartbreaking note naming one of the victims of the Solihull lake tragedy as Thomas was among dozens of tributes left for the three boys today.
One pays tribute to one of the boys by name, saying: ‘To my friend Thomas. Thanks for being there for me when I was sad. Thanks for lending me your jacket when I was cold.’
Ten-year-old Jack Johnson was also among the children who lost their lives, with his aunt saying on Facebook that he ‘ran and tried to save’ three other children – including a six-year-old – who had been on the frozen lake when the ice broke.
Dozens of heartbreaking floral tributes have been laid near the lake where three boys lost their lives after plunging through ice on a frozen lake Sunday. Tearful members of the community have continued to come today to lay tributes near Babbs Mill Park in Solihull
All four boys were pulled from the lake by police and fire crews but the three older children could not be saved. The six-year-old remains in a critical condition in hospital.
The tributes left at the scene include ones left by members of the emergency services, the NHS, politicians, local football team Marston Green FC and friends of the three boys.
Several bouquets had cards dedicated to Jack.
The note mentioning Thomas continued: ‘You were like a brother to me. I miss you so much.’
Another said: ‘To Thomas, rest in peace. Love from Earl.’
Children’s toys were also placed at the makeshift shrine, including several teddy bears with the message: ‘RIP beautiful angels. Love Sienna.’
Birmingham City Football Club head coach John Eustace arrived to lay tributes today.
Mr Eustace, who was born in Solihull, laid a floral wreath of blue and white at the foot of the tree which has become the focal point of mourning near Babbs Mill Lake.
The wreath had a card which read: ‘Sending our deepest condolences and love to those affected by this tragedy.
‘You are in our thoughts. From everyone at Birmingham City Football Club.’
After laying the wreath, Mr Eustace stood for a moment, in silence, before leaving.
A diving team are seen at Babbs Mill lake in Solihull today, as mourners continue to lay flowers
Another mourner adds to the tributes today as they continue to gather following Sunday’s tragedy
Teddy bear tributes are seen among the flowers near Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst
Mourners continue to come to add to the tributes that have been left following the boys’ deaths
Three mourners are seen paying their respects with bunches of flowers today
Applause rang out as West Midlands Police officers arrived to pay their own respects – after their heroic efforts were widely reported.
One officer had smashed through the ice with his bear hands to reach the boys while another had to be treated in hospital for hypothermia. He has been discharged.
The force said in a statement: ‘Solihull Police would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the local community for the kindness shown towards officers over the last few days.
‘Following the tragic loss of young lives at Babbs Mill Lake on Sunday, the support from residents for our staff and other emergency services that attended the incident has been overwhelming.
‘It has been the most challenging time for everyone involved. Our thoughts remain with the families, friends and the whole community.’
It came as the aunt of Jack used a social media post to thank members of the community for their support. She spoke of the unimaginable pain faced by the youngsters’ families.
In a post on social media, Jack’s aunt, Charlotte McIlmurray, described the tragedy as a ‘nightmare’, adding ‘that two families can’t wake from the pain is unimaginable’.
‘My nephew seen one go through the ice and he ran and tried to save them. We are just broken over it and to find out he died trying to save three lads he didn’t even know, that just sums him up, he was amazing,’ she wrote.
A message on a bunch of flowers among the tributes near to Babbs Mill Park in Kingshurst, Solihul
Dozens of tributes are seen near Babbs Mill Park after Sunday’s horrific tragedy that claimed the lives of three boys
Floral tributes and members of the public paying their respects at Babbs Mill Lake, Kingshurst, Solihull today
Birmingham City Football Club head coach John Eustace has laid flowers near the lakeside, on behalf of all those at the club
Mr Eustace, who was born in Solihull, laid a floral wreath of blue and white at the foot of a tree which has become the focal point of mourning near Babbs Mill Lake
‘He (Jack) was my nephew, so I know the pain is a million times worse for their moms, dads, sisters/brothers,’ she added.
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 three boys.
During a news conference on Monday at an entrance to Babbs Mill nature reserve, Superintendent Richard Harris, of West Midlands Police, said one officer tried to punch through the ice during the rescue efforts.
He needed to be treated for mild hypothermia but fully recovered.
Family friend Dale Hewitt said he had heard that the boy’s grandfather, who he named as Peter, ‘ran down from where he lives and jumped in the lake to try to save them’.
Jack (pictured here with his father Kirk) suffered a cardiac arrest after entering the water on Sunday
Police are seen in the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull again today, as mourners continued to lay tributes nearby
Police have been at the lake since the incident on Sunday, which claimed the lives of three boys
Police are seen on the lake at Babbs Mill Park again today, after early reports suggested there were more than four people on the ice
Members of a diving team are seen behind the police cordon at Babbs Mill Park today
Police officers are seen on the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull yesterday
BBC journalist who broke down in tears as she read news of boys’ deaths thanks Britons for kind messages
A BBC journalist who broke down in tears as she read the news of the three boys’ deaths in Solihull has thanked wellwishers.
Joanna Gosling wrote on Twitter: ‘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.’
As Ms Gosling delivered the news of the deaths live on air yesterday, she appeared visibly upset and after taking a pause said: ‘I’m so sorry, this is terrible news obviously.’
She described the deaths as very ‘shocking’ and ‘very sad’.
He added: ‘It’s just heartbreaking for the family and will have a massive impact on the whole community.
‘What’s happened is so sad. I’ve got two kids aged six and 11 months and it has really affected me.
‘I saw a video taken from one of the tower blocks where you can hear these screams of ‘help’ coming from the lake. It was unbearable.’
The heartbroken community in Solihull gathered for a vigil last night to pay tribute to the boys.
The children had been playing on the ice when it gave way. Tommy Barnet, 10, told Sky News: ‘One got their legs stuck in the ice and then… his friends went to go and save him, but they all fell in.’
The boys were all suffering cardiac arrests when they were rescued by firefighters, with members of the public also wading in to help.
Initial reports had suggested that up to six children had fallen in but police said no one else had been found and no one had reported any youngsters missing.
Dan Hall, 38, saw the tragedy unfold from his flat which is next to the nature reserve.
He said: ‘I heard the sirens at about 2.30pm. I started down to the lake and there was a girl of about 13 with her younger sister.
‘The younger girl was hysterical, saying ‘my brother, my brother’ over and over and the older girl was trying to calm her down telling her not to think like that.
Locals also gathered to give their well wishes for the fourth boy who remains in hospital in a critical condition
Mourners last night light candles next to floral and written tributes to the three boys who tragically died in the incident in Babbs Mill Park on Sunday
‘I saw a police officer come up from the lake drenched. There were a lot of hysterical people down there.
‘One man, who may well have been the father of one of the kids, was being consoled by a police officer. He was in a terrible state.
‘I saw them take the first two children from the lake and then I ran back to my flat to get some towels and coats.’
He said the children were in the water for ten to 15 minutes. The temperature at the time was around 1C (34F) but had fallen to minus 3C the previous night.
Mother-of-four Katie O’Driscoll, 32, laid flowers at the scene yesterday with her five-year-old daughter. She said: ‘I know one of the families involved. He was 11 and the first to be pulled from the lake but he has passed away.
‘I heard that the others went in to try and rescue him. It is really hard to imagine what those parents are going through. It is so sad, especially just before Christmas.
‘A dog walker went in to try and help, too. I would expect nothing less from people around here. We’re a really tight community.’
She said the lake was ‘no more than five foot deep’, adding: ‘I think now they should put railings all the way round it. There are railings but only in one small section.’
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