Brothers, 6 and 8, and cousin, 11, killed alongside hero friend, 10, in frozen lake tragedy as families pay tribute

15 December 2022, 13:55 | Updated: 15 December 2022, 20:28

The four boys who died after falling through a frozen lake in Solihull have been named as Thomas Stewart,11, Jack Johnson, 10, Finlay Butler, eight, and Samuel Butler, six.
The four boys who died after falling through a frozen lake in Solihull have been named as Thomas Stewart,11, Jack Johnson, 10, Finlay Butler, eight, and Samuel Butler, six. Picture: West Midlands Police / Facebook

By Chris Samuel

The four boys who died after falling through a frozen lake in Solihull have been named as Thomas Stewart, 11, Jack Johnson, 10, Finlay Butler, eight, and Samuel Butler, six.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Brothers Finlay and Samuel Butler and their cousin Thomas Stewart were taken out of the freezing water and rushed to hospital, but Finlay and Thomas died a short time later.

Ten-year-old Jack Johnson also died after trying to save the other boys on Sunday. Samuel passed away yesterday.

The boys' parents said: "As a family we are devastated at the loss of our beautiful boys Tom, Fin and Sam in such tragic circumstances. We would like to thank the emergency services for all they did in rescuing the boys and to the community for their support, it has been overwhelming.

"We would like to pass on our condolences to Jack’s family at this very sad time, and ask for privacy from the media to begin to grieve."

Thomas' older brother paid tribute to him and his cousin before Samuel died. He said: "Thomas was such a lively little soul, he had a big heart for such a young kid and he was so beautiful.

West Midlands Police
West Midlands Police. Picture: West Midlands Police

"He loved being outside playing with his mates. I love you Tom, big bro will take care of the family and I will see you soon. Make sure you keep practising on [video game] Warzone and get a win, will you?"

"Can't forget about my dinosaur man Fin, he loved dinosaurs so much and always showing me new things he built on Minecraft and all the new stuff he learnt on it. Gonna miss you little man."

Superintendent Rich Harris, of West Midlands Police, said: "This is a tragedy beyond words and a grief that is unimaginable for the families and friends of the boys.

"The support from the community has been overwhelming, not just for the bereaved families, but also for the emergency services, for which we are extremely grateful."

One of the boy's fathers, a student police officer, and a dog walker had entered the water in an attempt to save the children.

Read more: NHS nurses strike means 70,000 appointments, procedures and surgeries cancelled, health minister warns

Read more: Ground handlers at Heathrow airport will strike tomorrow after workers rejected a pay offer

An official fundraiser has now been set up for the families of the four boys, which has raised over £17,000.

It is backed by the families involved, and a number of relatives have shared it online.

The page bio pays tribute to the 'four Little Princes', and adding: 'No parent expects to lose their children so young, and sadly, no amount of money would ever place them back in our arms, but with our help, we can hopefully ease the worry of the financial costs they will need to meet.'

Police searching for further victims on the day of the incident.
Police searching for further victims the day after the incident. Picture: Getty

There was a candlelit vigil for the boys on Monday night, with a second taking place this Saturday at 4pm.

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

Jack was hailed as a hero after falling in himself while trying to save the other boys.
Jack was hailed as a hero after falling in himself while trying to save the other boys. Picture: Facebook

Police officers and members of the public initially got into the water tried to get the children out, before the youngsters were reached by specialist firefighters trained for water rescue who got the group to safety.

Those pulled out of the lake were given immediate life support and rushed to two hospitals; Birmingham Children's and Heartlands.

Flowers and tributes left near to Babbs Mill Park, Tuesday December 13, 2022
Flowers and tributes left near to Babbs Mill Park, Tuesday December 13, 2022. Picture: Alamy

All of them arrived in critical condition.

West Midlands Police confirmed the death of the youngest victim last night.

The force said in a statement: "It is with heartfelt sadness we have to report this afternoon, the six-year-old in hospital has lost his fight for life.

"Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragedy. We cannot comprehend the enormity of the pain they must feel and our hearts go out to them.

"Specialist officers remain in contact with the family and we will issue further information as soon as we can."

The police have completed their searches and on Wednesday the cordon at the site was lifted.

You can find the fundraiser for the families here.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

California utility says its equipment likely sparked fire that raged through LA

Yusuf Kayat, 54, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for 20 years

Paedophile who plied girl, 10, with alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis before grooming her for sex with other men jailed

Salim Iskef, 29, was one of ten people killed by lone gunman Rickard Andersson, 35, at Orebro's Risbergska adult education centre on Tuesday.

Heartbreaking final words of Sweden mass shooting victim shared with mum and fiancé revealed

Exclusive
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media during a visit to Springfields (Preston Lab), National Nuclear Laboratory.

UK must make it harder to buy knives online to prevent repeat of Southport killings, PM tells LBC

UK resident comes forward to claim £83m EuroMillions jackpot

UK winner comes forward to claim £83.5million EuroMillions jackpot 13 days after draw

Cold Snap Brings Freezing Temperatures To Parts Of UK

Cold health alerts issued as temperatures set to plummet over weekend as the Beast from the East returns

Lucy Letby has been described as 'dangerous, weird and whining' in jail

'Dangerous, weird and whining': Inside Lucy Letby's life behind bars

A British content creator who flew to Spain to buy olive oil has claimed his whole round trip was cheaper than buying a bottle in the UK.

‘I flew to Spain and bought olive oil for under £7.38 - that's how much a bottle costs in Britain'

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Foreign Office expels Russian diplomat in retaliation amid 'spying' row

Donald Trump is reportedly set to unveil his 100-day peace plan for Ukraine next week.

Donald Trump poised to unveil '100-day' peace plan for Ukraine next week

Winter sky close to Clitheroe, Ribble Valley, Lancashire, UK.

Warmest January on record smashes global temperatures and leaves climate scientists alarmed

The clamour grows for Lucy Letby to get a retrial. Here is why I think she shouldn't.

The clamour grows for Lucy Letby to get a retrial. Here is why I think she shouldn't

Exclusive
Josh Cuthbert

X Factor star opens up about mental health struggles - and why he won't release more music

Members of a specialist British military unit who shot dead four IRA men in an ambush in Co Tyrone in 1992 used lethal force which was not justified, a coroner has ruled. (File Photo)

SAS unit ‘unjustified’ in shooting dead four IRA terrorists in ambush inquest rules

During a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump announced plans for US ownership of the Gaza Strip, declaring "the Gaza thing has never worked."

Donald Trump claims no US troops will be needed for his plan to turn Gaza Strip into 'Riviera of the Middle East’

Steve Coogan dodged a driving ban after saying it impacted his new TV show

Steve Coogan spared driving ban after plea to save new TV show