THE body of a teenager has been recovered from a water-filled quarry after he disappeared during a fishing trip with friends.
Martyn McPhail, 16, is believed to have been pulled under by strong undercurrents after he slipped and fell into the water from a 20ft ledge at Springbank Quarry in Stepends Road, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.
The group of friends he was with raised the alarm at around 6.40pm on Tuesday and emergency services rushed to the scene to try to find him.
Strathclyde Police's air support unit and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue initially failed to find any trace of the teenager and the search was temporarily called off until yesterday morning, when a specialist under-water team was brought in.
Martyn's family, including his father, gathered at the scene yesterday morning and anxiously watched as divers plunged into the water just yards from the jagged edge where the teenager was believed to have been standing before he disappeared.
After just 20 minutes, their worst fears were realised as Martyn's body was recovered and pulled out of the man-made pond.
A police spokesman later said the teenager, from Airdrie, appeared to have "got into difficulty and could not manage to get out".
Inspector Gary Balfour, from Airdrie Police Station, appealed for anyone who saw what happened to Martyn to get in touch.
He said: "We have had an ongoing inquiry regarding a 16-year-old boy.
"However, a short time ago, our underwater search team found a body within the water.
"It is obviously a very distressing time for the family.
"Inquiries are still ongoing but if there is anyone who was around the area at that time, who may have seen anything, then we would like to speak to them.
"This is a disused quarry that has been filled in with water and is a potentially hazardous area.
"People have fished here in the past but we're not sure to what extent."
The quarry is fenced off with signs posted around the site saying "Danger – Quarry. High faces and deep water. Keep out". However, the fence has many gaps, which were yesterday sealed off with police tape.
Martyn was described as a keen rugby player, who turned out for Waysiders Drumpellier RFC's under-16 team.
His friends last night paid tribute to him and offered their condolences to his family.
Oliver Jackson posted on Facebook: "RIP Martyn mate, you may be gone but never forgotten. Will miss you bud, heart goes out to your family."
Jamie Bryson added: "RIP Martyn, you were such a nice guy, always made me laugh. Really can't believe you're gone. Safe to say you will be sadly missed."
Conor Gaffney wrote: "Will miss you mate, as will all of WD [Waysiders-Drumpellier]."
On Twitter, Daniella Bonnor added: "RIP Martyn McPhail, so young. Thoughts go out to his family."
Springbank Quarry is a popular fishing spot which consists of three pits that have been filled in with water.
The ponds are populated with fish, including roach, perch, pike and eels.
In November 2011, a proposal to fill in parts of Springbank Quarry and to reduce the water levels was submitted to North Lanarkshire Council.
The plans were put forward by Glasgow-based mining and engineering company JWH Ross. The proposals are still under consideration.
Police said a report into the death would be submitted to the procurator-fiscal.
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