Warning to skaters on Hatchet Pond after three children died in icy lake in Solihull

A WARNING has been issued to stay off frozen water in the New Forest after a group were pictured playing ice hockey on Hatchet Pond.

They were spotted a day after the tragedy at Babbs Mill Park, near Solihull, where on Sunday three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 lost their lives after plunging through ice.

Sherri Cowen, from Lymington, said she was "shocked" when she spotted seven men and two women on the frozen pond near Beaulieu around 11am on Monday.

She told the A&T: “I walked over and said considering the awful tragedy the day before, I didn’t think they were wise to be on the ice.

“They laughed and said they ‘knew what they were doing’ and that it was only 3ft deep.

“They also said they had ropes to use if the ice gave way. I replied that if kids saw them they would think it was safe.

“They said that ‘wasn’t their problem’!"

She added: "I think they were playing ice hockey. I went away as I didn’t think they were going to listen to sense.”

She later posted the photo on social media as a warning to other people to beware of frozen ponds and lakes.

Hatchet Pond is thought to be three metres deep in places, depending on the season. It has warning signs posted around it and swimmers and boat owners are banned.

A spokesperson for the FE said: “Due to the current weather conditions, we’ve put up signs to urge people not to enter the ponds at this time or allow their pets to go on the ice.”

The FE in the New Forest also tweeted: "The tragic events in Solihull are an awful reminder of the dangers of going onto frozen ponds and lakes.

"Please keep children and dogs away from these areas, as the ice on ponds and lakes can be very thin in places."

At low temperatures, even shallow water can pose a risk of cold water shock.

The RNLI says anything below 15C can seriously affect breathing and movement, potentially causing heart attacks even in healthy and people.

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire and rescue said: “With the cold weather set to continue, we ask that you are careful around open water and never go onto frozen lakes, ponds, canals or reservoirs.

“In an emergency always dial 999.”

Hatchet Pond is the largest body of fresh water in the Forest. There have been several drownings there including two brothers in 1960 who died when their raft broke up.