Reports of a ‘child in a frozen lake’ has sparked an urgent 999 response in Swindon.
Emergency services were called to the body of water off Ocotal Way at around 3.30pm today (Monday).
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) sent a fire crew from Swindon and a technical rescue unit from Stratton to the developing incident.
A spokesperson said firefighters at the scene have “established that children had been playing there but, as far as was known, nobody was in the water”.
In-depth searches of the small lake were carried out by specialist crew members as a precaution.
The news comes just a day after at least four children fell through the ice on a frozen lake in Solihull, in Birmingham. Three children died and one remains in critical condition.
The DWFRS spokesperson added: “The tragic events in Solihull are an awful reminder of the dangers of going onto frozen ponds, lakes, canals and other waterways.
“Our thoughts are with the families affected and the emergency responders who tried so hard to save those three lives.
“Please keep children and dogs away from frozen areas, as the ice may be incredibly brittle.”
For further advise from the fire service, visit: www.dwfire.org.uk/frozen-water-dangers.
