AN abseiling site at an Inverclyde scout camp has been out of use for over a year and a half following a serious accident said to have left a man with multiple fractures.

Bosses from the youth organisation have confirmed that the abseil site at Everton Scout Camp near Inverkip has not been used since a 30-ft fall in 2022 which left a leader badly injured.

He is understood to have suffered multiple fractures, with a major emergency services response required to rescue him.

The Telegraph understands that a site visit recently took place at Everton when the findings from a post-incident report were discussed with local officials.

A spokesperson for the Scouts told the Telegraph the location would not be brought back into use until 'learnings' from a report carried out after the accident were fully implemented.

The Scouts spokesperson said: “We are aware of the initial incident that took place in October 2022.

“This event triggered a detailed learning review that identified improvements that needed to be undertaken before the abseil location was used again.

“This learning review was carried out by skilled individuals who were independent of the local site.

“These outcomes were discussed with representatives from the site during the site visit in April 2024.

“It is important to note the site have confirmed that at no time since October 2022 has the abseil location been used for abseiling activities, and no one has been put at risk.

“Other activities such as camping continue to be undertaken safely on the campsite.

“The abseil location will not be used until the report learnings are implemented in full.”

The camp celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and has been used by Scout groups from Inverclyde and beyond.  

Greenock and District Scouts District Commissioner Martin Buchan told the Telegraph the recent safety checks had been part of a wider piece of work looking at camps across the country.

He said: “The Scout Association is looking at all of their campsites to make sure they have risk assessments that are robust and safe and safe practices to use.

“There are always getting reviewed, they’re all living documents."

On the October 2022 incident, Mr Buchan added: “There were assessments that looked at improvements in practices, learning and consequences, they were all done at the time.

“Health and safety go through the council and they were involved at the time in inspecting all the equipment, there was no equipment failings it was human error.”

Inverclyde Council has confirmed that the local authority visited the site following the 2022 accident.

A council spokesperson said: “The site is not owned by the council.

“Officers from our environmental health service visited the site in November 2022 and carried out an investigation and there have been no visits since.

“As part of the investigation, risk assessments were checked, equipment was examined, and the injured person was interviewed.

“It was concluded that there was no further action to be taken.

“Any matters raised about any site or premises will be investigated and advice will be provided or appropriate action taken as necessary.”