This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8374424.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Rock leap instructor 'heard gasp' | Rock leap instructor 'heard gasp' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An outdoor instructor has told an inquiry how he "heard a gasp" before a teenager fell onto rocks where she suffered fatal injuries. | An outdoor instructor has told an inquiry how he "heard a gasp" before a teenager fell onto rocks where she suffered fatal injuries. |
Gareth Alcorn, 26, was observing a pool-jumping activity at Black Loch in Dumfries and Galloway in July 2006. | Gareth Alcorn, 26, was observing a pool-jumping activity at Black Loch in Dumfries and Galloway in July 2006. |
He told a hearing he did not see Laura McDairmant, 15, of Carlisle, make her leap but saw her falling onto the rocks below and was first to try to help her. | He told a hearing he did not see Laura McDairmant, 15, of Carlisle, make her leap but saw her falling onto the rocks below and was first to try to help her. |
The fatal accident inquiry at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court continues. | The fatal accident inquiry at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court continues. |
Mr Alcorn said he had been observing the jumping but had not actually seen Ms McDairmant make the leap which resulted in her death. | Mr Alcorn said he had been observing the jumping but had not actually seen Ms McDairmant make the leap which resulted in her death. |
He said: "I heard a gasp as Laura was leaving the edge of the cliff and I immediately looked up to see what was happening. | He said: "I heard a gasp as Laura was leaving the edge of the cliff and I immediately looked up to see what was happening. |
"I observed her falling on to the rocks. | "I observed her falling on to the rocks. |
The accident was probably the toughest thing I have ever had to face in my life Gareth Alcorn | |
"As she was falling she was in a horizontal position, face down, and going completely in the wrong direction." | "As she was falling she was in a horizontal position, face down, and going completely in the wrong direction." |
The instructor said he immediately jumped into the water and swam towards the girl. | The instructor said he immediately jumped into the water and swam towards the girl. |
"I was first with her, I would be with her in five seconds," he said. | "I was first with her, I would be with her in five seconds," he said. |
"She was lying face down on the rocks and the first thing I did was to speak to her to see if she responded. | "She was lying face down on the rocks and the first thing I did was to speak to her to see if she responded. |
"There was no response and I pinched her ear to see if there was any reaction but again there was not." | "There was no response and I pinched her ear to see if there was any reaction but again there was not." |
Mr Alcorn told the inquiry he could see Ms McDairmant was unconscious and did not appear to be breathing. | Mr Alcorn told the inquiry he could see Ms McDairmant was unconscious and did not appear to be breathing. |
He said he later realised she had severe injuries to her neck, face and jaw. | He said he later realised she had severe injuries to her neck, face and jaw. |
The teenager was taken to Dumfries Infirmary for treatment but died a day later from her injuries. | The teenager was taken to Dumfries Infirmary for treatment but died a day later from her injuries. |
'Tragic event' | |
The instructor also told the inquiry he had considered his future in the profession as a result of the accident. | |
He said: "I decided I could not let this tragic event prevent me from doing a job I loved. | |
"I went back to work two weeks after the accident." | |
However, Mr Alcorn said it had changed the way he approached his work. | |
"The accident was probably the toughest thing I have ever had to face in my life," he said. | |
"I think it has made me a better instructor." |
Previous version
1
Next version