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.

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."
No response
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."