Frozen water safety reminder after boy rescued from lake

We are reminding people of the dangers of frozen waters after a teenage boy was rescued from a lake in Stoke-on-Trent.

We were called at 3.35pm yesterday (Monday 5 January) to Tunstall Park following reports of a 13-year-old boy stranded on an island in the middle of the lake after falling through thin ice.

Four appliances and a water rescue team attended the scene alongside colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Crews used a sled to rescue the boy, and he was left in the care of paramedics.

Crew Manager Colin Wright attended the scene. He said: “Thankfully, the boy was not seriously hurt, but the outcome could have been very different.

“We are reminding people to never attempt to walk across frozen water, as you could easily fall into freezing cold water and people should never walk too close to the edge, as it might be slippery and you could fall in.

“Dogs should always be kept on a lead, so they do not fall in but if they do, always call 999 and never attempt to rescue them yourself.”

For more outdoor safety tips, visit https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/your-safety/safety-outside/frozen-waters/.