A YOUNG dad died after plunging down a 75ft sheer drop into a quarry.

Police said Ian Thompson, 25, from Darwen, died in an accident at Yarnsdale Delf Quarry in Cadshaw, near Turton.

It is understood Mr Thompson, a father-of-two, had been camping nearby with friends and fell after making his own way back from an event close to their camping area.

Garry Rhodes, from Bolton Mountain Rescue, who helped with the search, said his thoughts were with Mr Thompson’s loved ones.

According to emergency services, Mr Thompson had been camping with four friends in a plantation at the top of a quarry over the weekend.

Members of the group are reported to have attended a nearby rave and became separated on returning to the campsite.

Mr Thompson was walking alone and is believed to have fallen while searching for the camping area.

A horrified friend at the top of the quarry saw Mr Thompson below and, just before 12.30am on Sunday, called for paramedics.

They asked for police and Bolton Mountain Rescue volunteers to search because of the rocky, isolated location.

Emergency services reached Mr Thompson just after 1am.

Paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The A666, Darwen to Bolton road, was closed in both directions near the junction of Green Arms Road for about 30 minutes to allow emergency service access.

Mr Rhodes, who took Mr Thompson’s girlfriend from the scene to the hospital, said: “This was a horrific incident and tragic for everyone concerned.

“The team’s condolences are expressed to the partner of the man involved, his young child, family and friends.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We were called to the quarry at 12.30am.

“A man appeared to have fallen from a cliff.

“He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he sadly died.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and we are treating this as a tragic accident.”

A North West Ambulance spokesman said: “We were called to attend the scene where a male who, we believe, had fallen from a cliff.

“We sent a variety of resources and, with the help of Bolton Mountain Rescue, took the man to hospital.”