Family speak of grief after dog walker dies in icy lake

The family of a dog walker who died after falling through a frozen lake while trying to rescue her dog have paid tribute to their "all round angel".

Cherie Muir, 49, walked 40ft on to the ice after Boxer dog Max. She plunged through a weak spot and drowned at Dobbs Weir Park in Nazeing, Essex.

Mrs Muir's husband Paul, and children Darren and Danielle, said in a statement: "She was an amazing mum and wife and we love her more than anything. She would do anything for her family and friends and was extremely loving — an all round angel. We will love and miss her for ever."

Friends revealed Mrs Muir, from Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, had phoned her firefighter son Darren for help when Max strayed on to the ice.

Mr Muir, 22, told her to wait, but when he arrived at the lake at 3pm on Wednesday he found a hole in the ice and his mother nowhere to be seen.

Rescuers pulled Mrs Muir from the lake but paramedics failed to resuscitate her. Her dog was found alive and well.