THE FIRST picture of Luke Murphy who died in a disused quarry has been released – while his parents have paid tribute.
Luke got into difficulties while swimming at the Blue Pool in Bishops Itchington on Thursday, July 26.
Police and emergency services were called to the location at around 6.30pm.
His body was recovered the following day.
Paying tribute to the 17-year-old from Daventry, his parents said: “Luke was kind, bright and loving.
“He was liked by all who met him and brought happiness to everyone that knew him. We were proud to have called him our son.”
Luke’s family has asked for privacy and has announced a funeral at Rugby Crematorium on August 16.
Family member Sandra Reid posted on Facebook yesterday (August 1). It read: “To stop any further media speculation or intrusion it is with deep sadness that we 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 for the past decade.
The Smart family, which runs the fishing business, says 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.
A spokesman for the Smart family said: “This tragedy was inevitable. We are heartbroken but nothing was done to prevent this.
“We have endlessly tried to stop these kids swimming here.
“Depths in disused quarries are horrendous and the unknown temperatures and equipment that lies beneath is absolutely lethal.
“We shall also keep up our vigilance of turning away swimmers that regularly try to swim.”
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.
Follett Property Holdings says it will be working to assist authorities while investigations are carried out.
A spokesman said: “We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of a teenager at the Blue Pool and wish to extend our heartfelt and sincerest sympathies to his family. Our thoughts are with them.”
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.”
