Quarry death was tragic accident
Saturday December 26 2009
The death of a teenager who fell 200ft into a quarry on his way to a Christmas party is being treated as a tragic accident.
Police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of 19-year-old Paul Hazzard.
His body was found by friends at the bottom of the quarry at Deerfin Road in Ballymena, Co Antrim, on Saturday.
He was last seen the night before when he got dropped off by a taxi in the area.
It is understood he was on his way to join friends at a house party when he fell.
North Antrim assembly member Declan O'Loan said the community was in deep shock.
"I want to extend my sympathy to the Hazzard family on the tragic death of Paul," he said.
"The sudden death of a young person is a tragedy at any time but it is all the more shocking when it occurs at Christmas time.
"Families in Ballymena have gathered together at this time and they are very conscious of the loss and shock that is being felt by the Hazzard family."
