As the cold weather continues, London Fire Brigade has issued an urgent warning about the dangers posed by icy waterways after firefighters rescued two children from a frozen pond near Whipps Cross Road in Leytonstone.
Crews were called to two children who were stuck on an island in the middle of an icy pond, unable to make it back to the edge due to melting ice. Crews used inflatable rescue boats and specialist water rescue equipment to reach the boys and bring them to safety. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade has already taken more than 14 calls to ice rescues in the last week and attended incidents including:
- A dog in an icy pond in Southgate (8 January)
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A dog in icy water in Dulwich (8 January)
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A dog stuck on a frozen lake in Romford (7 January)
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Children playing on a frozen lake in Enfield (7 January)
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Children on a frozen lake in Ham (6 January)
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Two people stuck on an icy lake following a dog rescue in Chingford (4 January)
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “We have received numerous calls for rescues involving people who have ventured onto frozen lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water. I’m urging Londoners to please take extra care and stay off the ice.
“Walking out on to frozen ponds or lakes is extremely dangerous. Never assume that the ice is thick enough to support you. It may look sturdy enough to stand on, but it often isn't and can be of variable thickness especially as you move away from the edge where the ice is often thinner. If you fall into icy water, the risk of hypothermia is very high and can prove fatal.
“We’re encouraging parents to take the time to talk to their children about how dangerous it can be to play on frozen ponds and lakes.
“We also see a number of people who put themselves in danger by attempting to rescue pets that have become stranded or trapped, and then they also need to be rescued by the brigade. Dog owners should keep them on a lead and keep a close eye on them.
"Firefighters are trained and have specialist equipment to rescue those who do get stuck on, or in, an icy lake or pond, so if you see a person or an animal in difficulty don’t put yourself at risk by going in after them. Call 999, keep your eye on them and stay off the ice.”
The Brigade's Control Officers took the first call to the incident at 1644 and sent crews from Leyton, Walthamstow and East Ham fire stations to the scene. The incident was over for firefighters by 1735.
What to do if you fall through ice
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Keep calm and shout for help
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Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you
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If you cannot climb out, keep as still as possible with your head clear of the water and wait for help to arrive
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If the ice is strong enough kick your legs to slide onto the ice
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Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank.
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Once out of the water roll away to prevent further cracks i.e. flat and pull yourself towards the bank
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Seek medical attention immediately
What to do if someone else falls through the ice
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Don’t go onto the ice or into the frozen water if you see a person or animal getting into difficulty
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Stay on the bank, shout for help and phone 999
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Shout to the person to keep still, hold their head above water. Offer reassurance to keep them calm
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If the person is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them.
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Try to keep your eyes on the person at all times, especially in moving water
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Try to find something that will float to throw or push out to them
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Wait for the emergency services to arrive