Solihull boys dies after lake plunge

• Three siblings and their cousin fell into an icy lake in Solihull.
• 8 y/o Finlay and 6 y/o Samuel died. Johnson and Stewart died Sunday.
• Thomas attended Wolverhampton’s St. Anthony’s Primary.

Three of the four youngsters who perished when they fell into Solihull icy lake in the West Midlands were two young siblings and their cousin.

Their relative Thomas Stewart, 11, and another youngster, Jack Johnson, 10, also passed away. Finlay Butler, age 8, and his younger brother Samuel, age 6, also perished.

On Sunday, they were extricated from the water in Babbs Mill Park, close to Solihull.

The three young relatives’ families have expressed gratitude for their “wonderful sons.”

“As a family we are devastated at the loss of our beautiful boys Tom, Fin and Sam in such tragic circumstances,” said their parents in a statement released by West Midlands Police.

“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.”

On Sunday, Jack, Finlay, and Thomas passed away in a hospital.

The police said on Wednesday that Sam, the youngest of the boys, had also passed away.

Dedicated to his “beautiful” and “lively” sister with a “such a large heart,” Thomas’s older brother published a statement.

“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,” it said.

“Make sure you keep practicing on warzone and get a win, will you?”

Writing before he learned his younger cousin had also died, the boy added he could not forget “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.”

St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, where Jack was a pupil, said in a statement its community remained “in a state of shock” at the tragic news.

“Jack was a loving, bubbly pupil with a heart of gold. Someone who would always check in on others and make sure they were doing OK,” said head teacher Cieran Flaherty.

“He was a joy to teach and a child who we are all so very proud of. A ray of sunshine who would never fail to make us all smile. We can only say thank you to him for brightening up our lives.”

The death of 11-year-old Thomas was announced by Dr. Toby Close, Associate Head Teacher of Park Hall Academy, “with the heaviest of hearts.”

“Tom was a well-liked, caring pupil with real character who went out of his way to look after those around him,” he said.

“He was a fiercely loyal friend to so many in our school community. In the short time he was at Park Hall, his outgoing personality, energy and wit shone through.

“We will miss him brightening every day with his great sense of humor. He radiated a love for learning with his infectious smile and enthusiastic manner.”

On Wednesday evening, the police cordon around the accident site was removed after the search by expert diving teams was finished.

West Midlands Police Supt. Rich Harris stated that officers would stay in the area over the ensuing days.

“This is a tragedy beyond words and a grief that is unimaginable for the families and friends of the boys,” added Supt Harris.

“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.”

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