Warning over 'dangerous' quarry as visitors surge

People have been urged to stay away from a flooded quarry where the water has a pH level "comparable to bleach", following a surge in visitors over the bank holiday weekend.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said its warning over Hoffman Quarry, at Harpur Hill in Buxton, came amid "growing concern about misleading posts circulating widely on social media, which present the site as an attractive place to swim or visit".

Despite its vivid blue appearance, the water at the quarry - dubbed the Blue Lagoon - is highly alkaline and potentially harmful, with a pH level comparable to bleach.

The service's warning also comes after multiple water-related deaths during the recent record-breaking heat.

Entering the water can result in skin irritation, eye damage, stomach problems, and other serious health effects, alongside an increased risk of injury or drowning, the fire service added.

Following the increase in visitors to the quarry, crews visited the site this week to give safety advice and raise awareness of the dangers, while police "carried out enforcement action in relation to dangerously parked vehicles in the area".

Risk reduction manager Amy Cartledge, from the fire service, said: "During the recent warm weather, we have seen large numbers of people travelling to the quarry. We want to be absolutely clear - this is not a safe place to visit.

"While it may look inviting, open water such as that at Hoffman Quarry, is extremely dangerous. Entering the water, or even going close to the edge, puts your life at serious risk.

"The water remains cold even in hot temperatures, meaning cold water shock can occur within seconds. This can cause you to gasp for breath, lose control of your breathing and become disorientated very quickly.

"In addition to the cold water, there are many hidden hazards beneath the surface, from old cars to animal carcasses, and the water itself is similar in PH value to bleach.

"This quarry is not a place to swim and it is certainly not a tourist attraction."

In recent years, toxic black dye had been put into the water at the "Blue Lagoon" to put people off swimming.

Jon Pearce, Labour MP for High Peak, confirmed on Wednesday that dye had been ordered again to "deter people from gathering and trespassing at the site".

"The lagoon was dyed regularly between 2017 and 2024... but this was removed from the annual plan last year following lower reports of anti-social behaviour," he added.

"In light of recent events and the renewed concerns from residents, the partnership has now reassessed the situation and is awaiting the manufacturing and delivery of the dye."

A High Peak Borough Council spokesperson added: "Following this latest increase in anti-social behaviour at the site, High Peak Borough Council can confirm that it has now ordered some dye from the supplier.

"We are waiting on a delivery and once received, we will be applying the dye to the water."

Similar prevention work is taking place at other areas of open water, including nearby Waterswallows Quarry, which also attracted large numbers of people over the weekend, the fire service said.

Sgt Patrick Haley, from Derbyshire Police, said: "One of the biggest issues we often have, and something which has been a particular problem over the bank holiday weekend, is dangerous and inconsiderate parking.

"Over the weekend, officers seized 21 cars because they were parked in ways which not only caused danger to other road users but could have prevented emergency services from getting through if they needed to.

"Officers are also working to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour involving nuisance motorbikes at the Hoffman Quarry.

"The area has seen repeated issues with off-road bikes being used in a dangerous manner with people trespassing and riding in hazardous areas.

"We are urging people not to use the location, which is privately owned, to ride off-road bikes, and will be using the policing powers available to us, which can include seizing uninsured bikes, to tackle these issues."

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) echoed the fire service's warning following multiple deaths across the UK, saying "warmer weather unfortunately sees an increase in accidental drownings".

At least seven young people have lost their lives in the water, the youngest being 12-year-old Junior Slater, who died in a Lancashire river on Tuesday afternoon.

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