Kids playing on ice 'goaded' crew trying to help

People are being warned not to walk on frozen ponds following reports of children playing on ice in a park in Carlisle.

Emergency services were called to Hammonds Pond on Monday afternoon where "numerous children" were standing on the ice and "goading" police officers and fire crew, a spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said.

Their behaviour was described as "extremely dangerous" as the ice was very thin in places.

Fire crews took the opportunity to carry out a practice rescue, with the spokesman saying they would "rather not" have to perform a real one as there was a "good chance it might not end in a happy outcome".

Parents have been urged to speak to their children and educate them on the extreme dangers of playing on frozen bodies of water.

Scott Cameron from the fire service said: "You can't judge thickness on top of the ice, there are places where it might look thick but really close to that may be a very thin piece."

The warning did not just relate to Hammonds Pond but throughout the region.

Cameron added: "Some of the lakes are deep, there are undercurrents there are shelves, some of our rivers have places where people can be caught up and swept under.

"I would say avoid going on to the ice at all, it really can be very dangerous."

The Met Office has issued a snow and ice warning lasting until 11:00 GMT on Tuesday.

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