Inverleith Park: Horrified walker spots couple pushing child’s buggy across frozen Edinburgh pond

A couple have been spotted pushing a pram over the surface of a frozen pond in Edinburgh, as dozens enjoy the cold weather and sunshine.

A horrified onlooker spotted the pair in Inverleith Park this morning, where around 30 others have been filmed ice skating.

“It’s fair enough adults wanting to take the risk on the ice, but to take your toddler across in a pram is shocking,” the onlooker told the Evening News.

“The edges of the pond were barely frozen and swans were swimming at one end, if the council ‘thin ice’ signs weren’t enough warning.

“I’m sure stretched hospital teams would be very annoyed at these sights.”

Readers have also criticised others who stepped onto the ice.

“Stupid people out on the ice of a pond,” one wrote.

DACO Alasdair Perry, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention and Protection, said: “We would ask everyone to be aware of the dangers of ice during this cold snap and strongly advise against walking or playing on any iced-up waterways and always ensure that children are kept away from any iced over ponds or rivers.

“If the ice breaks while they on it and they go in they then they put others’ Iives at risk"

It comes after two people and a dog had to be rescued when they fell through the ice on a frozen canal near the Kelpies in Falkirk yesterday.

DACO Alasdair Perry, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention and Protection, said: “We would ask everyone to be aware of the dangers of ice during this cold snap and strongly advise against walking or playing on any iced-up waterways and always ensure that children are kept away from any iced over ponds or rivers.

“If you are out with your pet, do not throw sticks or balls near frozen water, and if they do get into trouble on the ice, do not venture onto the ice yourself to attempt a rescue - dial 999.

"The ice may look solid, but it is not worth the risk to step out on to it."

Michael Avril, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Regional Water Safety Lead for Scotland, warned of the dangers of cold water shock.

He said: “Walking on ice is extremely risky and unpredictable and the RNLI advise that you avoid doing this.

“If you do fall through, the freezing water temperatures can bring on cold water shock.

“If you find yourself or someone else in trouble, dial 999 and ask for the fire service immediately. Do not attempt to rescue anyone yourself.”

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