Gullet Quarry 'should stay despite deaths'

Warning signs were erected and access routes blocked following the deaths

A report into safety at a quarry where two young men drowned last summer says it should not be drained or filled in to prevent further deaths.

Russell O'Neill and Justas Juzenas, died at Gullet Quarry in Worcestershire within a week of each other last July.

But the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) report said more measures were needed to discourage people from swimming there.

The Malvern Hills Conservators, who own it, will discuss the report later.

Access blocked

Russell, 17, died at the quarry, near Malvern, on 6 July and 22-year-old Mr Juzenas, died on 12 July.

Verdicts of accidental death by drowning were recorded at inquests at Hereford Town Hall in November.

Russell, from Carlisle Road, Worcester, and two of his friends were playing in the water when he decided to swim across and got into difficulties, the inquest heard.

Six days later Mr Juzenas, of Three Crosses Road, Ross-on-Wye, was at the quarry with his girlfriend when he also decided to swim across.

When he went under, onlookers swam out to try to find him but in vain.

After their deaths, more than 2,000 people backed a campaign calling for closure of the quarry.

The Conservators put up warning signs for swimmers and blocked the access routes.