THE FAMILY of 17-year-old Luke Murphy who died in a disused quarry has paid tribute to a ‘precious son and brother’.
Luke, who has not been officially named, got into difficulties while swimming at the Blue Pool in Bishops Itchington on Thursday (July 26). His body was recovered the following day.
Luke’s family, from Daventry, have asked for privacy and have announced a funeral at Rugby Crematorium on August 16.
Family member Sandra Reid posted on Facebook. It read: “To stop any further media speculation or intrusion it is with deep sadness that we sadly lost our precious son and brother Luke Murphy on Thursday, July 26, in a tragic accident at the quarry at Bishops Itchington.
“We are awaiting the coroner’s inquest and ask for privacy until we have this.
“We will, as a family, release details of the arrangements when they are available.”
Across the UK several people have died swimming in open water during the heatwave.
The owners of Bishops Bowl Fishery, which operate in the two adjoining lakes at the 90-acre former limestone quarry, say the Blue Pool was an ‘accident waiting to happen’ and have been calling for safety measures to be put in place for the past decade.
The Smart family, which runs the fishing business, say staff regularly warn people to stop swimming in the Blue Pool and urge anglers to tell them when they see youngsters going for a dip.
Signs warning ‘No Diving’ and ‘No Swimming’ are placed around the pool – owned by a London-based company called Follett Property Holding Ltd – but they have not stopped people swimming.
Floral tributes were left next to the pool this week.
One was from his grief-stricken parents which read: “Luke, our darling son, you will be dearly missed. Shine bright. We love you lots.”
