Quarry water is a stone cold killer: stay out - stay alive

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has relaunched his Department’s Stone Cold Killer campaign and issued a warning to the general public about the dangers of swimming in disused quarries.

The move comes after a series of reports about individuals swimming in local quarries which are known to have taken the lives of a number of young people.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots MLA said: “It is desperately sad to hear of the tragic loss of young people in these dangerous quarries and I want to prevent further avoidable loss of life.  As the weather improves, and with schools and some leisure facilities largely remaining closed, I am concerned there is an increased risk of deaths in disused quarries this year. For this reason I am asking parents to talk to their children about where they are going, and warn them of the dangers associated with visiting such sites.

“I too, am a parent and appreciate the difficulties that many families across Northern Ireland are experiencing at the present time, but I urge you all to raise this issue with your children and teenagers. Quarries are not playgrounds. Quarry lakes in particular pose considerable risk as they are often much colder than rivers, lakes and reservoirs as they can be fed by water sources that originate deep underground. A sudden plunge into cold water initiates a gasp response, which can cause drowning within seconds.

“Quarry water really is a stone cold killer. My message is clear. Stay out. Stay alive.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The campaign ‘Quarry water is a stone cold killer. Stay out, stay alive’ was developed following an extensive audit of disused quarries by the district councils which helped identify the highest risk sites and the features within each site which made them so dangerous. The risks relate not only to cold water, but to hazards including submerged machinery which may not be visible from the surface, rubbish and industrial pollution which can cause skin and eye irritations, rashes and infections. 
2. The poster and leaflet are available to download from NI direct.
3. Whilst the campaign focuses on disused quarries, all bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the sea, pose a risk to human life. The campaign’s message applies universally.  DAERA has a limited policy role relating to disused quarries. Legislation gives district councils the power to serve a notice on quarry owners to improve fencing, only in specific situations. DAERA has no remit over operational quarries.
4. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office via pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page