Children dicing with death 'tombstoning' into water at disused quarry

Bosses at Edwin Richards Quarry today put out a warning that rocks lie beneath the surface and someone could easily be killed. The water was also described as 'exceptionally cold'. The perilous craze of tombstoning involves leaping from a cliff or other high point into water. Security patrols have been stepped up.

The land has been earmarked for a housing development with work due to start next year, but in the meantime, the firm behind the proposals says it is taking action to secure the 100,000 sq ft site.

Site manager at FCC Environment Ann Earley, said: "Following several incidents of trespass at the Edwin Richards Quarry we have stepped up security patrols.

"We encourage parents and carers to warn their children about the hazards of playing and swimming in unsupervised waters like quarries, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and of the dangers of tombstoning.

"We would like to emphasise that swimming at unsupervised sites like this is very dangerous, as the water is still exceptionally cold and hidden rocks lie just beneath the surface."

In 2013, 15-year-old died after slipping from a ledge and plunging into a pool at a disused quarry near to the Crooked House pub in Himley. Family and friends launched a campaign after the death, calling for the disused quarry to be closed and security at the site stepped up.

FCC Environment is targeting early 2016 to start its homes scheme at the Rowley Regis site, which would see the quarry filled in and 281 houses built on its southern edge.

The scheme could take up to 30 years to complete but it is hoped the homes could be completed during the next decade.

It is hoped the gaping hole that is the quarry will eventually become open green space to be used by residents of the new homes.

Ms Earley added FCC Environment would seek prosecutions against those illegally accessing the quarry.

She added: "It is also important that people are aware that trespassing onto private land is against the law.

"We will continue to work with the police on this issue, and anyone seen intruding on our site will be photographed and any vehicle details recorded with a view to prosecution."

Councillors backed the plan to regenerate the site earlier this year but admitted there is work to be done before the residential vision becomes reality.