Tributes to teenager after body found in quarry

POLICE searching for a teenager who fell into a flooded quarry have pulled a body from the water.

The 16-year-old boy, named locally as Martyn McPhail, was understood to have fallen into Springbank Quarry in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, during an angling trip with friends.

Strathclyde Police said a body was found yesterday afternoon.

Relatives and friends of Martyn watched as police divers searched the waters of the man-made pond.

It took the search team just 20 minutes to recover a body, six metres below the ledge where Martin was standing.

The body is believed to be that of Martyn but has not been formally identified.

A post-mortem examination will take place to try to establish the cause of death, although police said it is not suspicious.

Tributes have flooded in to the teenager on Facebook.

Jamie Bryson wrote: “RIP Martyn, you were such a nice guy, always made me laugh and always on yer bike. Really can’t believe you’re gone.”

Oliver Jackson posted: “You may be gone but never forgotten. Will miss ye bud. Heart goes out to ur family.”

Springbank Quarry is a popular spot for anglers as it is populated with perch, pike and eels, although police have described it as a potentially hazardous area.

The quarry is also fenced off and warning signs are posted around the site.