Suspension threat after student drowns

Investigations are continuing into the drowning

A college principal and a teacher are facing suspension during an inquiry into the drowning of a student while on a school trip.

The body of 17-year-old Yunus Ismail Moolla was recovered from Gullett Quarry at Castlemorton, near Malvern, Worcestershire last week.

He was a student at Gloucester's Central Technology College.

The acting education director for Gloucestershire, Stewart King, has written to the college governors calling for the suspension of the principal, Paul Monnelly, and Andy Barker, the teacher who led the trip.

'Neutral act'

The education authority says the suspensions would be a "neutral act" to ensure a detailed and objective inquiry.

Four investigations are taking place, led by the police, the Health and Safety Executive, the county council and the college itself.

The final decision over the suspensions lies with the college governors, because the Central Technology College is a foundation school which is self-governing.

Yunus's body was found after a search involving a police diving team from south Wales, a police helicopter and fire crews.

The quarry had been closed because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak and had re-opened just four days before the tragedy.