Quarry Death: Mum Of Fife Teen Who Drowned Backs Safety Campaign
A mother whose teenage son drowned in a Fife quarry has been at his old school to launch an open water safety campaign.
Gillian Barclay's son 18-year-old Cameron Lancaster died at Prestonhill Quarry in Inverkeithing last year.
Shiona McCallum interviewed her and you can listen here:
Local police officers joined forces with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Royal Lifesavers Society of Scotland to deliver an interactive video showing teenagers how to stay safe around open water.
Inspector Tom Barrett said: “The catalyst to this pilot project is tragic loss of life at Prestonhill Quarry in Inverkeithing where two popular young lads lost their lives in unconnected accidents.
“The water in quarries and secluded pools has a significantly lower water temperature that can immediately impact upon the body and its capability to respond and it is this message we are hoping to get across to the youngsters today. We want them to consider these things before entering the water.”
“We do not want to discourage teenagers from enjoying water activities but we feel it is necessary to ensure we deliver a crucial safety message about the dangers of open water and the effect it can have on your body and motor functions that can incapacitate even the strongest swimmers.”
“We are also hoping to remind teenagers that in cases like this there are long term and lasting effects on loved ones that stay with them for a lifetime.
Parts of the DVD are hard hitting but I hope this project helps to protect youngsters in the future.”
Mark Bryce, Station Manager at Dunfermline Community Fire Station said: “Water incidents are potentially more dangerous for the emergency services as well as the people involved.
“We don’t want to stop young people having fun around water but we are trying to educate them on what the risks are and what they can do safely to help a friend if they get into trouble in the water.”
The first session of a pilot project to deliver open water safety lessons to schoolchildren was given at Inverkeithing High School today, Tuesday 3rd November 2015.
Local police officers joined forces with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Royal Lifesavers Society of Scotland to deliver an interactive video showing teenagers how to stay safe around open water.
Inspector Tom Barrett said: “The catalyst to this pilot project is tragic loss of life at Prestonhill Quarry in Inverkeithing where two popular young lads lost their lives in unconnected accidents.
“The water in quarries and secluded pools has a significantly lower water temperature that can immediately impact upon the body and its capability to respond and it is this message we are hoping to get across to the youngsters today. We want them to consider these things before entering the water.”
“We do not want to discourage teenagers from enjoying water activities but we feel it is necessary to ensure we deliver a crucial safety message about the dangers of open water and the effect it can have on your body and motor functions that can incapacitate even the strongest swimmers.”
“We are also hoping to remind teenagers that in cases like this there are long term and lasting effects on loved ones that stay with them for a lifetime.
Parts of the DVD are hard hitting but I hope this project helps to protect youngsters in the future.”
Mark Bryce, Station Manager at Dunfermline Community Fire Station said: “Water incidents are potentially more dangerous for the emergency services as well as the people involved.
“We don’t want to stop young people having fun around water but we are trying to educate them on what the risks are and what they can do safely to help a friend if they get into trouble in the water.”