Solihull lake rescue: ‘Number of people’ in ‘critical condition’ after falling through ice as search continues

A number of people are in a critical condition after falling through ice on a lake in Solihull.

West Midlands Fire Service said a search and rescue operation is ongoing.

West Midlands Police said: “We are currently at the scene of a serious incident at Babbs Mill Park, Fordbridge Road, Kinghurst, Solihull.

“A number of people have been pulled from a lake and are being transported to hospital. They are believed to be in a critical condition.”

Babbs Mill Park is a local nature reserve, with a lake and woodlands.

West Midlands Fire Service said it was called at 2.36pm along with West Midlands Ambulance Service and police.

The fire service said: “Reports from the scene and videos on social media indicate that people had been playing on the ice on a pond and had fallen through.

“Our specialist water rescue teams arrived and acted assertively to take control of the scene and carry out rescues using specialist equipment and entering the water.

“Casualties have received medical support at the scene from both firefighters and ambulance personnel prior to being taken to nearby hospitals.”