Babbs Mill boys' frozen lake deaths accidental, coroner rules

The deaths of four boys who fell into a frozen lake near Solihull were accidental and “a devastating tragedy”, a coroner 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 on 11 December 2022.

The boys went on to the ice after they fed ducks and skimmed stones, the inquest heard.

In her summary, senior coroner Louise Hunt said she was satisfied “emergency services did their utmost” and 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 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 saw the boys in the water, shouting for help, but they could not get out and a short time later they went under the surface.

Det Insp Edmonds said his officers were there 11 minutes after the first 999 call at about 14:35 GMT.

They ignored safety advice, took off their body armour and waded in to form a human chain, to try and 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 was too deep to get to them.

Earlier, Ms Hunt read out short descriptions of the boys, written by their families.

Jack was described as “a loving caring boy” who loved 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 loved 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 loved Ironman, dogs and fire engines.

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

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

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

Mr Wiles said the officer probably only just got out 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 broke 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 within 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 were 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 Chapman, 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.

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