A second man has been charged following the death of a girl on an outdoor activities course in Galloway.

Gareth Alcorn, 24, of Coleraine, County Londonderry, appeared at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Last week, Richard Farrell, 28, of Ringford, near Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, also appeared to answer charges under the same act.

Laura McDairmant, 15, of Wetheral, in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, died after a fall at Black Loch, Glentrool in July 2006, in the Galloway Forest Park. It is alleged that Mr Alcorn had in his care a group of children at the Grey Mare’s Tail burn, when one of them attempted to jump over a gorge but fell.

The 15-year-old schoolgirl suffered head injuries and died in the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries.

Investigations into the incident were led by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and police from the Dumfries and Galloway force. The course was organised by the Barcaple Christian activity centre, near Castle Douglas.

Laura was a pupil at William Howard School in Brampton. Her parents Sheila, a play-school leader and Brian, a documentary filmmaker, were at her bedside when she died.

Mr Alcorn entered no plea or declaration at the hearing.