THE MUM of one of the Babbs Mill Boys has called for life-saving equipment to be placed in memory of her boys across Solihull.
This comes after Solihull Council removed a mural dedicated to the four boys who died at Babbs Mill Lake was replaced with a bench.
It depicted portraits of Finlay Butler, eight, his younger brother Samuel, six, their cousin Thomas Stewart, 11, and Jack Johnson, 10, who fell through the frozen lake in December 2022.
A group of young men created the mural thanks to funding from Smithswood Access to Services and Support (SASS), which supports young people to over come disadvantage and create their own positive change for their futures.
Gemz Haran, the mum of Finlay and Samuel, wrote on B37 Updates: “Personally the best memorial for me would be bouys around every lake in Solihull.
“I’ve been working hard with different organisations, fundings all there don’t understand why nothings been done yet.
“It’s not a game, floatation devices could have maybe saved at least one of them.
“Potentially Saving another life in the boys memory is enough for me.”
Her plans for life-saving equipment was hailed by others praising her efforts.
Others said they were shocked at the move to place a bench at the site.
One person wrote: “This is so sad that was such a beautiful memorial to the boys.”
And another said: “So heartbreaking so awful they have done this.”
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “After engaging with the local community a memorial bench was deemed a more appropriate long-lasting memorial. A plaque commemorating the boys will be added in the next few weeks.
“We continue to work with and support the local community following the awful tragedy at Babbs Mill.”
The boys were pulled from the Kingshurst lake on December 11 amid freezing temperatures.
In the days following hundreds paid tribute to the boys – including West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Police, who were part of the rescue – by laying flowers, cards and balloons by a tree in the park.
Last summer a coroner concluded the boys death were accidental and a devastating tragedy.
