Death toll at quarry prompted petition to have it drained and filled in

THE dangers of Prestonfield Quarry have been raised repeatedly in the decades since it claimed its first victim.

Robert O’Neil was just 12 when he tragically fell at the quarry in 1973, suffering serious injuries when he landed on rocks just beneath the surface and dying later on the way to hospital.

Two years ago a petition was launched to have the flooded industrial site, which is 12 metres deep in places, filled in and given over to a more useful purpose after the deaths of 18-year-olds Cameron Lancaster and John McKay in separate incidents.

Among those who signed was Robert’s brother Kevin, who was four at the time his sibling died.

Mr O’Neil said: “The lads were 18, just youngsters with their whole lives ahead of them. So much has been robbed from our families and from theirs as well.

“Have there been any lessons learned in the last 42 years? When I heard about [Mr Lancaster’s death] I was just so sad. It just brought up so many memories. I wasn’t able to sleep for a couple of days, I was so upset.

“My family has met with councillors through the years about the quarry. Something needs to be done to prevent any more deaths.”

More than 2,000 people signed the petition, including Mr Lancaster’s mother, Gillian Barclay.

She said: “I don’t want another family to go through this and I was livid when I heard of the most recent death there of John McKay. There is no fencing along the cliff above the water in the quarry and people jump into it from a great height. I just want to make it safe.”

She added: “I wasn’t aware at the time, but the police carried out a thorough investigation about the safety of the quarry after Cameron’s death, but the fiscal took the decision there would be no action against the landowners.”

However, the situation has been complicated by the site’s popularity with divers, who regard it among the best quarry dive sites in the country.

Up until now they have been using the site safely, and map it each year for underwater hazards.

Plans are also in an early stage to turn the site into a diving centre where training could take place, although this scenario remains a long way off.