Boy uses hammer on frozen lake as adults watch from shore

Child Seen Using Hammer on Frozen Lake

A child was observed using a hammer and chisel on a frozen lake while adults watched from the shore. Two women stood on the bank as the child crouched on the ice, attempting to break the surface below.

Warnings and Safety Concerns

There are signs by the water warning people to stay off the ice. A dog was also seen running on the ice at Pen Ponds in Richmond Park, London. Several large yellow warning signs are placed around the water in the park, advising walkers not to go on the ice.

Rescue Incident at Connaught Water

This incident follows a rescue attempt where a passerby crawled across a frozen lake to save a man who fell in while trying to help a dog. The man was filmed on Sunday, shuffling across the ice on his hands and knees after noticing someone struggling in the water.

Video posted on Facebook shows the man in the water desperately grabbing his rescuer’s arm to be pulled out. This footage was captured at Connaught Water in Epping Forest, Essex, on Sunday, just before 2:30 PM.

Fire services responded quickly and confirmed that the dog was safely reunited with its owners.

Weather Conditions and Warnings

Temperatures in the UK could drop to as low as -12C as a cold snap continues, bringing snow, ice, heavy rain, and strong winds this week. Last night was the coldest of the winter so far, prompting the Met Office to extend yellow weather warnings for the south until Friday.

Staffordshire Police warned parents to keep children off the ice after reports of a child falling through the iced-over surface of a lake in Stoke-on-Trent. Additionally, a dog tragically died in Painswick Park, south Manchester, after becoming trapped under the ice.

Safety Advice from Fire Services

Essex Fire and Rescue’s Watch Manager, Gary Dyer, stated, “We completely understand why people want to help in situations like this, but cold water can overwhelm the body very quickly. The safest thing to do is stay out of the water and call us – we have the training and equipment to respond safely.”

As cold weather continues, people are reminded to take extra care around frozen lakes and waterways and to avoid walking on ice, which can appear solid but is often thin and unstable.

Upcoming Weather Events

Snow fell in London today, with freezing weather affecting all parts of the country. More snow is expected in the coming days. Sub-zero temperatures will persist until a storm hits, with yellow warnings for ice and snow issued for tomorrow, covering most of England and Wales.

These warnings will be in effect from midnight tonight until 10 AM tomorrow morning. Storm Goretti is anticipated to bring heavy snowfall and strong winds, with yellow weather warnings in place from 6 PM on Thursday until midday on Friday.

The Met Office stated, “Storm Goretti likely to bring heavy snow leading to disruption and difficult traveling conditions.” Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather health alerts for all regions of England, lasting until Friday, January 9.

Summary of Events