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Divers find no sign of missing tombstoner

Seventeen-year-old Laurence Parrott failed to resurface after jumping around 165ft into water near the Falls of Foyers near Inverness on Sunday.

08 September 2009 17:33 PM

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Police divers have been scouring the area around a Highland waterfall, where a teenager died in an apparent ‘tombstoning’ jump.

Seventeen-year-old Laurence Parrott failed to resurface after jumping around 165ft into water near the Falls of Foyers near Inverness.

The youngster is understood to have been jumping from rocks into the water with his brother and a friend on Sunday afternoon.

A major search to find the promising young musician has so far been unsuccessful.

The water, which seemed quite calm on Tuesday was much higher and faster flowing on Sunday due to the heavy rainfall.

Coastguards assisted the divers by lowering equipment down the side of the sheer drop at the falls.

Coastguard Roger Cope said: "We're working at a height of 165ft above the water level so we're helping their water equipment down which is not our normal role but its to ensure its done in a safe manner."

The incident has prompted warnings over the dangers Scotland's outdoor water courses can hold.

Sgt Donald Peterkin of Northern Constabulary said: "Its obviously a tragic accident - as always we'd like people to give consideration to the depth of water, the flow of any water, the strength of the flow, and in particular the temperature. 

“People forget even in the summer months the temperature of water in the Highlands is still very cold."

In a statement his family said: "Our whole family is devastated at the loss of our son. Laurence was full of life and was very determined, excelling at everything he put his mind to. We cannot put into words the loss that we feel and would ask that our family be left alone to grieve in peace."

The search is set to continue first thing on Wednesday morning.
 

Last updated: 08 September 2009, 18:47

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