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Diver’s death prompts safety warning

Posted on January 16, 2009, 9:09am and updated on January 17, 2009 at 4:00 pm

The death of an experienced local diver off the coast of Port MacDonnell has prompted police to issue a warning to those looking to dive alone.

Despite having more than 20 years experience, the body of the man known so far only as Greg was found 30 metres offshore about 7am on Friday.

The cause of death is not yet known, however locals speculate it was medical reasons rather than a diving accident after police confirmed there was air still left in the man’s tank.

Greg was reported missing by a concerned neighbour when he didn’t return by 8pm from Thursday’s diving expedition.

The neighbour found his car parked in a foreshore carpark and notified police of the disappearance.

A search was then staged by police and SES personel with help from the Adelaide Bank Rescue Helicoptor until around 3am with no success.

The search began again at first light until a body, believed to be that of the missing diver, was located 30 metres off shore shortly after.

Superintendent Trevor Twilley said this was the second death of a lone diver in this region in the past month and warned of the potential danger of diving alone.

“We certainly encourage anyone intending to dive alone to think again and take someone with you,” Supt Twilley said.

The other case involved a 42-year-old diver who drowned at Southend on December 17.

Thought to be from the Naracoorte area, Greg had a holiday house at Port MacDonnell where he has been seen regularly for the past five years.

Periwinkles Cafe owner Peter Zeitz used to also own the local dive shop and said he had been seeing Greg every summer for the part five years.

“He was an experienced diver and very capable, but he always went diving alone,” Mr Zeitz said.

“A couple of months back he got hit in the back of the leg by a sting-ray and he came in to show me, laughing it off.

“He was a yahoo, gung-ho kind of bloke, but a good character.”

Police are continuing their enquiries into the incident and preparing a report for the coroner.

The cause of death will be determined by a post-mortem held early next week.

NIKKI MOTT

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