Freezing weather conditions

Kent’s parents told to explain dangers ti children

People have been arned not to walk out onto frozen lakes and ponds after an 11-year-old girl had a lucky escape.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is urging the public not to risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water after the girl had to be rescued when she become trapped on a lake in Tunbridge Wells.

Crews were called to Grosvenor Park, St James Road, at 2.30pm on Saturday after the schoolgirl had walked across a frozen lake on to a duck island and got stuck there when the ice started to crack.

Fire crews wearing dry suits got to the island using water safety equipment and carried the girl back to safety.

Crews then broke up the ice around the edge of the lake to help prevent further incidents.

Fortunately the girl was uninjured but firefighters have warned that the consequences could have been far more serious.

Watch Manager Inglis warned: “While ice can appear thick enough to support a person’s weight, it can give way very easily. This girl was very lucky, as the water is extremely cold and if she had fallen through the ice the consequences could have been tragic.

“With the icy weather setting in and the half-term holiday coming up, I would ask all parents to remind their children how dangerous it can be venturing on ice, its very hard to judge, it may look safe but it isn’t so don’t attempt to walk or stand on it.”

And the Kent branch of the Royal Lifesaving Society added: “Kent RLSS as the county’s foremost water safety organisation is urging people to be very careful around frozen ponds, lakes and canals. Not only can the ice be dangerous but deep snow can make it very difficult to see where the edge of the water begins.

“Frozen ponds, lakes and canals can look like fun, but there is no way of knowing whether the ice will hold your weight.

“Children are among those most at risk and with potentially many children off school, we would urge parents to talk to youngsters about the hazards of frozen water and teach them what to do if someone does fall in.”

The group’s advice if someone falls through the ice is:

• Call the emergency services straight away.

• Do not go out onto the ice yourself

• Encourage the person to remain calm and stay as still as possible to maintain their body heat and energy

Find something which will extend your reach, such as a rope, pole or tree branch

• Pass the object out to the person and then ensuring you are stable on the bank, either by lying down or having someone hold on to you, pull them in

• If you cannot find something to reach with, try finding an object that will float that you can throw or push out to them

• Ensure that you keep off the ice at all times during the rescue, continue to reassure the casualty and keep them talking until help arrives

• Once the person has been rescued, keep them warm and take them to hospital even if they appear to be unaffected