After two deaths in 10 months at a Fife quarry, an MSP has called for a united approach to prevent further tragedy.
As the heartbroken mother of Cameron Lancaster presented an award in his memory at his former school, MSP Annabelle Ewing asked to meet Fife Council officials to see what could be done to make Prestonhill quarry safer.
Eighteen-year-old Cameron died at the Inverkeithing quarry last August, breaking his neck while attempting an ice bucket challenge.
Last week another 18-year-old, John McKay from Kirkcaldy, also lost his life at the disused site.
His body was recovered from the murky waters of the quarry last Friday morning.
Accompanied by Councillor Alice McGarry, Ms Ewing has toured the site of the tragedy and discussed “some of the challenges” associated with making safe Prestonhill, which is in private hands.
“First and foremost my thoughts are with the friends and family of John McKay who will have been devastated by their loss,” said Ms Ewing.
“My thoughts are also with the family of Cameron Lancaster who drowned in the same quarry less than a year ago and for whom this latest tragedy will have brought everything they experienced rushing back.
“I truly want to see what can be done with everybody working together to do all we can to prevent any further tragedy at the quarry.”
Praising Mrs McGarry’s insight and the work she has carried out to try to get a safe resolution to the long running problems, Ms Ewing added that she had now written to Fife Council’s chief executive to see what plans the local authority had to address the various issues involved.
“I appreciate that there are a number of legal issues involved in terms of determining the owner of the property, and indeed what enforcement action can be taken,” she said.
“I also want to investigate whether the legal position might have changed following the passing of the community empowerment legislation last week by the Scottish Parliament.”
She said that pending longer term solutions, the key question was what the council could do to secure the fencing and perimeter of the site as she understood new fencing had already been damaged.
Grieving mum Gillian Barclay, who lost her son Cameron last year, presented a trophy in his name at his old school, Inverkeithing High, to pupil Deni Smith.
Gillian, who is backing calls for the quarry to be drained, is also sponsoring two Advanced Higher awards for music and drama in Cameron’s name, as those were his special interests.