The head of a charity trust in charge of an outdoor centre where a Cumbrian schoolgirl plunged 30 ft to her death has admitted “failing to look after her”.

Laura McDairmant, 15, from Wetheral, was taking part in gorge jumping on holiday in southern Scotland in July 2006 when she hesitated, slipped and fell onto rocks in a pool below.

She died in hospital hours later after suffering severe injuries to her neck and head.

Speaking at a fatal accident inquiry into the teenager’s death yesterday, Lorimer Gray, executive director at the Abernethy Trust said that the Christian organisation managed four sites across Scotland, including Barcaple in the Galloway Forest which Laura attended.

Mr Gray told the fatal accident inquiry, held at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court: “There is no doubt that within the situation there were a number of flaws and with hindsight the system of handing it on was not ideal."

Mr Gray also admitted the only risk assessment carried out for gorge jumping at Barcaple was “vague” and “unspecific” containing information about both jumps, large and small, but not detailing the risk which cost Laura her life – the rocks in the pool below.

• Full story at the Carlisle News & Star.

• Filed under Scottish Christian News Monitor, Social Action, South of Scotland.