Search underway for worker missing at landfill site

Police today mounted a large scale search of a landfill site in a former Co Antrim quarry for a workman who has gone missing.

David Leyland, a site supervisor employed at the Biffo Waste site in Mallusk, was last seen yesterday afternoon at about 2pm.

A search was mounted – with both the PSNI helicopter and dogs – when he could not be found, but was called off at 1.30am this morning because of the hazardous conditions.

Conditions on the site have been made more treacherous than normal because of flooding caused by recent heavy rainfall.

A police spokesman said a decision had been taken to call off the search until morning because conditions were extremely hazardous in the dark.

The police searchers are understood to have ignored initial safety warnings to stop as it got dark, but eventually gave in for the night.

The brother of the missing 23-year-old, Ken Leyland, said the family was very worried as it would have been out of character for his brother to leave the site during work.

“David’s worked there since he was 17 years old – he’s site supervisor. They work six days a week and he’s always been there on site, he’s never late for work, he’s the most reliable person there.”

He said his brother’s locker was still full of his clothes, his trainers and jacket, as well as his bag and keys.