Three boys die after rescue from frozen lake

FOURTH YOUNGSTER IS IN CRITICAL STATE IN HOSPITAL

NOBODY else has been reported missing after the deaths of three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 who fell through ice into a lake in the West Midlands.

West Midlands Police said a search of Babbs Mill Park lake in Kingshurst, Solihull, near Birmingham, was continuing but "officers had had no contact from anybody suggesting that there is anybody else missing." A fourth boy, aged six, remained in a critical condition in hospital yesterday after being pulled from the water by emergency crews, including a police officer who tried to punch through ice during the rescue efforts.

Emergency services were first called to the scene at 2.36pm on Sunday, when it was reported four children had been playing on the ice and fallen through into the lake.