Friends' horror as pal drowns in Hilldale Quarry in Parbold

Jul 29 2010 by Gemma Jaleel, Ormskirk Advertiser

FRIENDS of a man who plunged into ice-cold waters at a disused quarry in Parbold desperately tried to save him, an inquest heard.

Cameron McInnes, nicknamed ‘Chunk’, fell into the water at Hilldale Quarry shortly before 3pm on Sunday, February 28, after a rope swing he was on snapped.

Friends Marc Burton and Harry Strange made relentless attempts to rescue the popular 21-year-old from the freezing lake.

Mr Burton told Ormskirk Magistrates Court how he and a group of friends including Mr McInnes had taken a stroll around Hillside Quarry.

Mr Burton and Mr McInnes had split off from the group and found a rope swing over a large branch of a tree hanging about 10ft over the deep, water-filled basin.

Each took turns on the swing, which was made of a blue nylon rope with a large stick tied to the end, before navigating the steep hill to find and tell their friends.

Harry Strange joined them on the climb back up to the rope swing with his mobile phone which he was going to use to video them.

Mr Burton told the inquest how Cameron, who was from Eccleston near Mawdesley, grabbed the rope and swung out.