Investigation Underway After Youngster Reportedly Drowned

Police are investigating after a 15-year-old boy died after drowning in a water-filled quarry while swimming with friends at the site in Dudley.

Augusto Massampo Zacarias, a Portuguese youngster who was visiting family in the area, died at the end of July at the Lower Gornal quarry in the town. According to the BBC, his family are now calling for the site to be closed off to the public permanently.

The owners of the quarry, Weinerberger, are working with police as part of ongoing inquiries into the incident and have launched a review into security at the site. The firm has claimed that warning signs are in place to warn against swimming in the quarry.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist lawyers, who act for victims left seriously injured in accidents in public places, said it was vital that lessons are learned from the incident.

David Urpeth, an expert in public liability claims at the national law firm, said: “This tragedy is clearly a huge concern and it is welcome to see the owner of the site working closely with officers to investigate how this happened.

“It is vital that a full review of safety at the site provides information and insight into how a terrible incident of this kind can be avoided both at this site and others in the future.”