By Staff Reporter

Last updated 09:19, Saturday, 10 May 2008

A SECOND man has appeared in court in connection with the death of a Carlisle girl in a rock fall nearly two years ago.

Gareth Alcorn, 24 of Colraine, Northern Ireland, appeared at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court charged under a section of the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974.

It follows the death of Laura McDairmant, 15, of Wetheral Pasture, near Carlisle, on July 25, 2006 at the Galloway Forest Park at Glentrool, near Newton Stewart.

It is alleged that Alcorn had been in charge of a group of children as an employed door activity instructor with the Barcaple Outdoor Centre at Ringford, Castle Douglas.

The charge further alleges that the group had been under his care and control at the Grey Mare's Tale burn at Black Loch, Glentrool when one of them attempted to jump over a gorge but failed to make it.

Alcorn made no plea or declaration to the charge and the case was continued for further investigation by Sheriff Kenneth Hogg.

Laura was airlifted to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary after suffering serious injuries after falling on to rocks at Black Loch.

She died two days after the fall with her parents Sheila, a play leader, and Brian, a documentary filmmaker, were at her bedside.

The William Howard School pupil in Brampton also left behind a twin sister, Rose, elder sister Alice, and elder brother Peter.