After widespread parts of Greater Manchester and the UK woke up to a blanket of snow over the weekend, and sub-zero temperatures are continuing to chill the country for most of this week, GMP is now highlighting the dangers of cold and ice water following the deaths of three young children and one still fighting for their life in Solihull.
The three boys – aged eight, 10 and 11 – all passed away after being pulled from the freezing cold water in Babbs Mill Park near Solihull on Sunday (11 December 11), while a fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Following reports that four children had been playing on the ice and had fallen through, emergency services were first called to the scene at 2:36pm on Sunday, before a major rescue operation was launched shortly after.
Three boys have tragically died after falling into the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull yesterday.
The boys were rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water.
Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this devastating time.
The four children were pulled out of the lake in a state of cardiac arrest, with West Midlands Police confirming they “sadly could not be revived”.
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The force has stated that an operation is ongoing at the scene, and said its thoughts are with the family and friends of the children “at this deeply devastating time” – adding that specialist officers are offering them as much support as they can.
The devastating news that the four young children fell through the icy lake has understandably left people shocked nationwide, and now, GMP has quickly issued a warning relating to the bodies of water in our region and has urged parents and guardians to make sure their children are supervised at all times when near lakes or ponds, especially during the current cold snap.
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The force has also emphasised how important it is to ensure children are aware of the dangers of cold water, and what to do should they find themselves in difficulty.
In a statement shared to social media yesterday, GMP Rochdale said: “Following some really tragic news, GMP Rochdale would like to stress the importance of safety around cold water. Please ensure that children are supervised at all times when in the vicinity of cold water and advise children about the dangers of cold water and the impact it can have.”
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) December 12, 2022
“It might be tempting to walk or play on the frozen water but the ice can easily break. The temperature of the water is cold enough to take your breath away and lead to drowning. Never venture onto frozen water, even if it appears thick from the bank, it becomes thinner very quickly.
“Our message is simple – stay safe, stay off the ice.”
Royal Life Savers Society (RLSS UK) has some useful advice and tips on how to speak to your child about the dangers of frozen water, which you can read here, and find out more about what to do it you see someone struggling on the GMFRS website here.
Featured Image – West Midlands Police
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The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.
We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.
Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.
2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.
Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.
Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.
The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.
Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.
As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.
It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.
Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.
“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.
“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”
Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.
The Tour de France is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Greater Manchester and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.
As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s another big sporting landmark for us Mancs.
Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be passing through our region next summer.
Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:
With Greater Manchester boasting not only the National Cycling Centre, but having already hosted the Tour of Britain – which has passed through Altrincham on multiple ocassions – we’re well-versed when it comes to the sport.
It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.
Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.
Not only are we buzzing that the racing will be returning to our friends in Leeds and Sheffield, but also nice to see other Northern regions lending their roads and stunning landscapes, such as the Lake District and wider parts of Cumbria.
You can see the full route map broken down below.
🇬🇧 Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London 🇬🇧
💛 Grand Départ Great Britain 2027: in the footsteps of the pioneers!
— Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) January 15, 2026
Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2022 
