42 Years On: Still Calls For Safety Improvements At Preston Hill Quarry

We've been talking to Kevin O'Neil whose brother fell to his death at Preston Hill Quarry in 1973. He says improvements must be made after the death of two men in the last year.

Published 6th Jul 2015

It has been 42 years since the death of a 12-year-old boy at an Inverkeithing quarry and still few safety measures have been implemented.

Forth News has been talking to Kevin O'Neil (pictured), whose brother Robert died when he was only 12 back in 1973.

This Preston Hill Quarry has claimed two lives in just the last 10 months – 18-year-old John McKay’s death on 18th June and Cameron Lancaster, also 18, who died in August 2014 carrying out an ‘ice bucket challenge’.

The emergency services, together with Fife Council and local councillors, have been discussing steps to prevent further tragedies.

Kevin O'Neil, who still lives in the area, said; "The fence around the Quarry wasn't secure enough back in 1973 but now it's more or less non-existent.

"No lessons have been learned in the last 42 years."

He continued; "I want Fife Council and the Scottish Govenment to get together and use the Community Empowerment Act.

"Let's do something with this piece of land as there could be something good coming out of it."

Mr O'Neil also added that it was extremely difficult for his family to deal with, and that more deaths need to be prevented.