Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Emergency Services Step Up as Children Venture Onto Frozen Lakes During UK Cold Snap

Officials warn that unpredictable ice and cold-water shock make any frozen water unsafe, urging the public to call 999 rather than attempt rescues.

Overview

  • Cumbria Police and fire crews responded on Tuesday to reports of children on the ice at Derwentwater near Keswick, with all youngsters leaving safely and uninjured.
  • Staffordshire Fire and Rescue confirmed a 13-year-old was pulled from thin ice at Tunstall Park on Monday, treated at the scene by paramedics and not taken to hospital.
  • A man fell through ice at Connaught Water in Epping Forest on Sunday while trying to save a dog, a passer-by entered the water to help, the dog was recovered, and one person was taken to hospital for assessment.
  • Fire and police teams have patrolled frozen sites such as Hammond's Pond in Carlisle after repeated reports of groups on the ice, with crews using visits to deliver safety advice and practice rescue techniques.
  • Regional services from North Yorkshire to the West Midlands, Derbyshire, Merseyside and Swindon have issued fresh alerts advising people to stay off ice, keep dogs on leads, and use reach-or-throw methods from the bank while calling 999.