FOUR boys who died after falling in a frozen lake had gone to feed the ducks and skim stones, an inquest heard today.
Fin Butler, eight, his brother Sam, six, and their 11-year-old cousin Tom Stewart were killed in the tragedy in December.
Jack Johnson, 10, who didn't know the others, also died in the horror at Babbs Mill Lake in Solihull, West Midlands.
Coroner Louise Hunt today ruled their deaths as an accident following an inquest at Birmingham Coroner's Court.
The hearing was told the boys had gone to the lake to feed the ducks and skim stones when they tragedy unfolded.
Fin was the first boy to fall through the frozen lake – causing Tom to head to the where he was last seen to help him.
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Tom also fell through the ice, followed by Jack then Sam, as the youngsters frantically tried to rescue Fin.
They were heard shouting for help before slipping below the surface, the inquest heard.
A heroic rescue attempt was launched after horrified passers-by including a child called 999.
Detective Inspector James Edmonds told the hearing officers who arrived at the scene then entered the water against medical advice.
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A human chain was formed as the officers used their hands in a desperate attempt to break through the ice.
The boys were eventually found ten minutes apart after plunging into the water.
Jack, Tom and Sam were discovered at 2.56pm, while Fin was located at 3.05pm – 31 minutes after first entering the water.
DI Edmonds said: "Two groups had come across each other. They went out onto the ice to play as children might do.
"For reasons unbeknown the ice has broken away. It has become fragmented and that has resulted in the boys falling through the ice and into the freezing cold water.
"The impacts of the water temperature would have significantly contributed to the boys being unable to stay afloat. When they were found they were found toward the bottom of the lake."
The boys were taken to the water's edge where paramedics began CPR before being taken to two separate hospitals.
Alex Chapman, from West Midlands Fire Service, said the temperature of the water in the lake would have caused the boys to go into shock.
He said "nothing more" could have been done to save the youngsters.
Fin and Thomas tragically died shortly after arriving at hospital.
Jack, who did not know the other three boys, died hours later while Sam lost his fight for life three days later.
Doctor Sarah Joy-Denniston, a paediatric consultant at Heartlands Hospital where Jack and Tom were taken, said CPR attempts continued for three hours.
This was due to medics attempting to raise the temperatures of both boys. Both Jack and Tom's cause of death was given as drowning.
Matthew Hardy, a paediatric consultant at Birmingham Children's Hospital, said Fin died from bleeding and multiple organ failure caused by drowning.
Sam was later declared brain dead, with his cause of death given as a brain injury as the result of drowning.
In tributes read to the inquest today, Jack was described as "loving and caring".
The family added: "Jack has an amazing soul. He did everything he could to make everyone around him smile and they always did. Even on bad days he made you smile."
Tom's family said he was a "kind boy" who "loved going out on his bike and meeting his friends and making new friends at the park".
They added: "He loved being with family too. Tom will always be remembered and loved by everyone who knew him.”
Finn's loved ones told how the youngster was popular at school as he was always giving Pokemon cards to kids who didn't have any.
The statement continued: "He adored the outdoors regardless of the weather. He loved the beach, the woods, parks, anywhere outdoors. He was excelling at school and loved problem solving with maths and reading books.
"He was a giving soul and would go without so others wouldn't. Him and [brother] Sam were inseparable.”
Paying tribute to his dog lover brother Sam, they said loved being with his friends and spending time with his brother.
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The statement read: "Sam was the most independent six year old you would have ever met. He would try and try regardless of the task in front of him and not give in.
"His two favourite things by far were Ironman and fire engines. Our very own Fireman Sam."
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