THERE "could be another family left devastated” as youngsters continue to risk their lives by jumping into the water at Prestonhill Quarry.

Videos of large groups gathering at the site and showing many youths diving from the cliffs were shared on social media on Saturday and Sunday.

Councillor David Barratt, who spoke to the Press last month about the dangers of the quarry, said the most recent footage was “terrifying” viewing.

The videos were shared on a weekend when Police Scotland released an urgent appeal to the public following SIX water-related deaths in two days; from Friday to Saturday.

Cllr Barratt: “The quarry is a risk at the best of times, but when you add in alcohol and peer pressure, it exponentially increases. There’s a rock edge that is three-metres down into the water. If they hit that, it could be like what happened previously when that person doesn’t surface again.

“People seem to be ignoring the risks and what has happened there. I feel a little helpless, from a councillor’s point of view, as there’s not a lot that can be done to prevent people from jumping in. The site doesn’t currently have an owner, so there’s no liability there.”

He said many people attending over the weekend were from the Aberdeenshire area who had travelled down to the quarry in Inverkeithing, while Cllr Alice McGarry also revealed to the Press that others were from Broxburn, Livingston and other areas of central Scotland.

Cllr Barratt said: “I really don’t know what the solution is. I know that there were divers in the water at the weekend and they were telling people not to dive in from the cliffs, but they did it anyway.

“After what has happened, not just at the weekend in Scotland but even recently in Dalgety Bay when someone was rescued from the water, the video is terrifying to watch.

“They are going in feet-first and if they hit that rock edge, by not diving far enough out, that could be another family left devastated.”

Cllr McGarry added: “The water should be as safe as anywhere else, but when you add alcohol into the mix, there’s always a greater risk. With the quarry’s history, and as I stay near the coastal path, I’ll be sitting in the garden just waiting to hear the sirens.”

Police Scotland issued a statement on Sunday warning of the dangers of lochs, rivers and other bodies of water. The release came after a number of water-related tragedies were recorded in Scotland.

On Friday, a 16-year-old boy died near the pier at Balloch Country Park.

On Saturday, at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse, an 11-year-old boy died after getting into difficulties in the water.

The same day, a 41-year-old man, 29-year-old woman and nine-year-old boy died after being in the water near Pulpit Rock, Ardlui, Loch Lomond. A seven-year-old boy was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and placed in intensive care.

And a 13-year-old boy died after being pulled from the river at Hazelbank, Lanark, on Sunday.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “The number of deaths in open water this weekend is hard to comprehend and my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected.

“The warm weather can make open water swimming and paddling very inviting but it is extremely dangerous, even for the most experienced swimmers or supervised children. The conditions can change very quickly and there are often hidden risks like deeper water and strong currents.

“The message I want to send to everyone is exercise extreme caution. It is better to keep a safe distance from water if possible. Tragically, this weekend has highlighted that open water is very, very dangerous. If you see someone in the water and distressed call 999 immediately.

"Remember, you could get into difficulty yourself trying to help so please take care and seek help as soon as possible.”