SCHOOLCHILDREN have been spotted playing on a frozen pond just hours after three boys died after falling into a frozen lake.
A group of teens were pictured on the ice in Darlington, County Durham, in spite of the recent tragedy in Solihull, West Midlands, that left three children dead and one in hospital.
The snap shows nine kids on a frozen pond in the Brickburn Pond Nature Reserve and was posted on social media by a bystander, who said: "Just keep your kids safe".
Temperatures have plummeted in the region this week and it is covered by a yellow weather warning for snow and ice.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the local council, recently issued a warning about going out on the ice.
They said: "With temperatures set to remain very cold, many ponds and other stretches of water are at risk of freezing. Whilst they may look solid, they can be extremely dangerous and very unlikely to hold your weight.
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"We are urging parents to please speak to your children about the potential consequences if someone goes through into the frozen water. We would also like to urge people to keep their pets on leads near water."
The picture was taken just one day removed from the awful events in Solihull.
Similar images have been posted online, with one showing schoolgirls in Wimbledon Common, London out on a frozen lake mere hours after the tragedy.
A third photo showed a group of young people casually strolling across the ice in a park in Blackpool less than a day later.
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Online commenters have branded the pictures as "scary" and "dangerous".
West Midlands Police confirmed the three deaths yesterday, while a fourth child remains in a critical condition in hospital.
They passed away despite rescue attempts from bystanders and emergency services.
One brave schoolgirl, 13, even tried to use tree branches in a desperate attempt to save the boys.
Just a day after the Solihull tragedy, children were spotted playing on an icy lake at Blackpool’s Stanley Park.
A police spokesman said: “We have been made aware of a group of young people walking and playing on a frozen lake in Stanley Park in Blackpool – we want to highlight just how dangerous playing near, or on, frozen water really is.
“This comes after the tragic loss of life in Solihull over the weekend – our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy.
“There is no way to tell how thick the ice is, so there’s a huge risk of falling through.
“Falling into the water can cause cold water shock, which affects your muscles, nerves and brain power, making it almost impossible to get to safety or even ask for help – loss of consciousness can lead to loss of life.”
Previously, two schoolgirls were spotted playing on a frozen pond just hours after the tragedy in Solihull.
The pair were seen absent-mindedly walking on the icy lake in Wimbledon Common in London.
“Falling into the water can cause cold water shock, which affects your muscles, nerves and brain power, making it almost impossible to get to safety or even ask for help – loss of consciousness can lead to loss of life.”
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Previously, two schoolgirls were spotted playing on a frozen pond just hours after the tragedy in Solihull.
The pair were seen absent-mindedly walking on the icy lake in Wimbledon Common in London.
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