Rank: Super forum user 
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Just reading about another tragic incident of this type (in Poland btw) and wondering what it is that's so hazardous about this activity.
There's no currents to drag these kids under etc. so are quarries any different to swimming in, for example, a lake? Is it more to do with their capabilities as swimmers going out too far?
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Rank: Forum user
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I think its more to do with how cold the water is, quarries are very deep and deceiving but yet so inviting on a hot day.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Many years ago I used to SCUBA dive, flooded quarries made excellent training sites, but yes they are very cold - even at the height of summer temperatures a few feet down will be in single figures degrees C. Also there is often abandoned machinery in them which you cannot see from the surface, and as SRP says no gradual increase in depth, if you get cramp very unlikely that you can just put your feat down.
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Rank: Forum user
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Often very cold water, many quarries are either below the groundwater level or fed by underground springs with water temps only a few degrees above freezing. Some of these springs can cause strong circulation currents. And the problems associated with ‘cold shock’.
The changes in depth / level can be quite severe.
Where silt was pumped out during the quarry’s operation the settling areas take on a quicksand type consistency. The warning signs that were there during it’s operating life often are no longer present either through deterioration or vandalism.
Poor egress points, you may be able to get in but many that get into trouble often fail to look for the where will I get out point?
Under water hazards, old cranes, cables, machinery: risk of entrapment / entanglement for those diving underwater. Or as some of these are only just under the water level they can be difficult to see by those jumping into the water, risk of impact.
Chemical hazards, many old quarries when closed they literally shut the gear down, turned the power off and closed the gates so whatever chemicals were in stores or workshops were left there to leach out as water levels increased. Due to little change in the water any run off from agricultural chemicals will concentrate over time and also makes the water prone to toxic algae blooms.
Also on the subject of chemicals due to ground conditions some quarries have some interesting chemical conditions (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2187284/The-poison-Blue-Lagoon-It-look-inviting-water-toxic-bleach.html ) this quarry has a pH of 11.3 compared to ammonia pH 11.5 or bleach pH 12.6 With this in mind many quarry operators are adding black dye to the water to make it look less inviting.
And then add in the lack of water rescue equipment and the long response time due the distances to get to the area it all adds up to bad news.
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Rank: Forum user 
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It is terribly sad but very true that several adults as well as children die each year from swimming in lakes, quarries and reservoirs.
The comments that Brett makes are very true. Individuals often over estimate their ability - i.e. I am a fit person / strong swimmer and understimate the impact of the cold water. Somethimes this is also combined with the effects from taking alcohol - nice summer day, lets have a picnic and a quick dip.
It is heartbreaking for their familes, friends and the emergency services who have to deal with these incidents. Much eduction goes into schools on this - but it still happens every year!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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http://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/National Water Safety Forum has recently published stats for drownings in 2013 that are suspected as being accidental or from natural causes - 381 for the year. Water Incidence Database launched in 2009 so now five years data which is relatively consistent year on year. Quarries come out low down the order. For locations with typically 5 or more victims per year over the 5 years Quarries - 35 At sea - 207 Beach/coastal - 412 Harbour/port - 123 River - 554 Canal - 163 Lake - 162 Pond - 62 Reservoir - 35 Steam/ditch - 50 Swimming pool - 32 - I'm assuming this is for open air pools.
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