Family pay tribute to hero, 10, who 'died trying to save three boys' on frozen lake

The family of 10-year-old Jack Johnson have shared a heartbreaking tribute to their little boy, who died after falling through ice into freezing cold water in a lake in Solihull, West Midlands.

It was confirmed on Monday (12 December) that three boys aged eight, ten and 11 had died after falling through thin ice while out playing in the snow over the weekend.

One of the boys was Jack, who ‘ran and tried to save' the other children after noticing they were in trouble.

Facebook

According to MailOnline, Jack’s aunt Charlotte McIlmurray said in a Facebook post: “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.”

Speaking anonymously, another of Jack’s family members added: “It has been the most devastating day in our family's life.”

Meanwhile, Dale Hewitt, a family friend, said Jack’s grandfather had tried to save him, sharing: “[Peter] ran down from where he lives and jumped in the lake to try to save them.”

Tragically, Jack and two other boys died on Sunday, while a fourth boy, who is six years old, remains in a critical condition in hospital after being pulled from the lake.

Authorities were called to the scene at Babbs Mill Park in the Kingshurst area of Solihull, West Midlands, near Birmingham at 2.36pm on Sunday (11 December) on reports that four children had fallen through the ice while playing on the lake.

PA Media

Members of the public and police officers had attempted to rescue the children, but it was specialist water rescue-trained firefighters who managed to reach the group and pull them from the water.

The children were given immediate life support by ambulance and fire service personnel before being rushed to two Birmingham hospitals; Birmingham Children’s and Heartlands.

All four of the young boys arrived in critical condition, and in an update on Monday, West Midlands Police confirmed the eight, 10 and 11-year-old had passed away.

"Sadly, they could not be revived and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this deeply devastating time. We’ll have specialist officers offering them as much support as we can," the force said, adding: “A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.”