Babbs Mill boys' frozen lake deaths accidental, coroner rules

Four boys died in an accident on a frozen lake after going to feed ducks, a coroner has concluded.

Finlay Butler, eight, and his younger brother Samuel, six, died, as did their cousin Thomas Stewart, 11, and another boy, Jack Johnson, 10.

They went into the water at Babbs Mill Park, near Solihull, on 11 December.

Police formed a human chain to try to rescue them, with one officer attempting to punch through the ice to reach the boys.

In her summary, senior coroner Louise Hunt said she was satisfied "emergency services did their utmost", that "treatment in hospital was good" and "everyone did all they could and should be commended for their actions".

Jack was at the lake with one group of children while the other three were in another group, the inquest heard.

Jack then decided to go on to the ice and Thomas, Finlay and Samuel followed, Det Insp Jim Edmonds, from West Midlands Police, said.

Finlay fell in first and then Thomas and Jack as they tried to help. No-one saw Samuel fall in.

After they fell in, witnesses said they had seen the boys in the water shouting for help, but they could not get out and a short time later the boys went under the surface.

Det Insp Edmonds said his officers had been at the lake 11 minutes after the first 999 call had been received at about 14:35 GMT.

They ignored safety advice, took off their body armour and waded in to try to reach the area where they believed the boys had fallen in.

They used their fists and batons to break through the ice, but Det Insp Edmonds said the water had been too deep to get to them.

At the start of the inquest, Ms Hunt read out short descriptions of the boys, written by their families.

Jack was described as "a loving caring boy" who enjoyed being outside and loved animals.

Tom's family said he "always had a smile on his face" and loved going out on his bike and meeting new friends at the park.

Finlay was said to have "adored the outdoors, regardless of the weather" and enjoyed the park.

His family also said he loved Pokemon cards and would often give them away to friends who did not have them.

Samuel was described as "the most independent six-year-old you've ever met" who had a passion for Ironman, dogs and fire engines.

Det Insp Edmonds said the air temperature at the lake at the time had been 5C (41F) and the water temperature had been even lower, which had affected the ability of the officers to function.

There had been a big risk to the rescuers themselves, Jason Wiles, from West Midlands Ambulance Service, said.

Paramedics had shouted to the rescuers to get out and one of the police officers had been in the water up to his neck, he added.

Mr Wiles said the officer had probably only just got out of the water in time.

The last child, Finlay, was recovered from the water by firefighters at 15:05 GMT, half an hour after the first 999 call.

Ms Hunt said: "Sadly the boys were under the water for between 22 and 32 minutes."

Det Insp Edmonds said he did not know why the ice had broken but it was a "terrible tragedy".

He did not believe his team could have done anything differently, he told the inquest.

The boys all received the best treatment possible on their way to hospital but brain damage would have occurred minutes after they were submerged, Mr Wiles said.

There were tears from the families of the boys as Dr Sarah Denniston, from Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, told the inquest efforts had been made to resuscitate the boys without success and drowning was the cause of death.

The temperature of the water in the lake would have caused the boys' bodies to go into shock, Alex Shapland, from West Midlands Fire Service, said.

He also said nothing more could have been done on the day by firefighters.

However, the fire service would review its prevention work and planned regular safety campaigns in summer and winter to focus on the dangers of the water, he added.

After the inquest, area commander Alex Shapland said: "Within days of the boys' deaths, we and colleagues across the country were dismayed to see people still risking their lives on frozen water."

Mr Shapland said an incident like the one at Babbs Mill lake could not be allowed to happen again.

James Williams, from West Midlands Ambulance Service, said it had been an "incredible effort" by the emergency services to try to save the boys and a "tragedy" they had been unsuccessful.

He said it had "affected many of them deeply, knowing that those incredible efforts were just not quite enough".

Supt Rich Harris, from West Midlands Police, said after the inquest he was "incredibly proud of those officers who showed such bravery and put their own safety to one side to try and save the lives of Jack, Tom, Fin and Sam."

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