SHOCKING reports have come in of children jumping on an icy pond in Worcester only days after the Solihull pond tragedy.
A Worcester police sergeant said he has received three reports including children jumping on a frozen pond and others walking on the frozen canal within days of siblings Samuel Butler, six, and Finlay Butler, eight, who died along with their cousin Thomas Stewart, 11, and Jack Johnson, 10, after they were rescued from Babbs Mill Lake in Kingshurst, Solihull, last Sunday.
He has now pleaded for parents and children to follow the advice and keep off the ice.
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He said: "There are three incidents I’m aware of that involve kids on the ice.
"The afternoon of December 16, on the pond in Gheluvelt Park there were teenage boys jumping on the ice.
"On the afternoon of December 17 at the pond in Ronkswood Hill Woods, there were five teenagers of mixed gender.
"At lunchtime today (December 18) at the canal near to Warriors Way, approximately six children were walking on frozen sections of the canal."
This is the third day in a row I’m aware of children playing on frozen bodies of water in the Worcester area.
— T/PS Rowan Boyle (@WMercia_RBoyle) December 18, 2022
The tragic accident in Solihull on Wednesday should be a timely reminder of how unsafe this is.
If you are a parent or carer PLEASE pass this message on. pic.twitter.com/D7QApVSTsL
Sergeant Boyle said the "tragic" Solihill incident "should be a timely reminder of the real dangers."
He said: "Police will of course always respond as soon as possible with other emergency services to reports of anyone who has got into trouble in the water but the message is clear, do not take the risk.
"The tragic incident in Solihull on Wednesday should be a timely reminder of the real dangers."
Earlier today, Worcestershire County Council issued a public warning about the dangers of ice on waterways.
READ MORE: County council warns to avoid walking on frozen waterways
The council reminded the public of the dangers the county's canals, rivers and lakes could pose in the recent weather conditions.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "We’re lucky in Worcestershire to have many beautiful rivers, canals and lakes, but these pose a risk during cold weather when they freeze over.
"Do not go out on to ice under any circumstances, and if you see someone in danger, call 999."
For more information on safety around icy water, you can visit the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website at the https://www.rospa.com/leisure-water-.safety/water/advice/ice
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