The diver, reported to be a man in his late 30s, was in a group diving from a diving charter vessel about seven miles south of Littlehampton. According to the Coastguard, he was found unconscious at the surface after ascending at around midday.
According to the charter vessel's owner, the diver had been using a rebreather, which may or may not have had any relevance to the accident. According to the Coastguard Watch Manager involved in the incident, it was thought that the diver may 'have experienced a cardiac arrest'.
The casualty was taken aboard the dive boat and given first aid by group members, who reportedly included a nurse. He was airlifted by rescue helicopter to Queen Alexandria Hospital, but did not survive. A post mortem is being carried out, and local police are investigating the incident.
On the same day off nearby Pagham, east of Selsey Bill, two people diving on the Outer Mulberries had to be rescued after failing to resurface at their allotted time of 12.10 - just as the fatal Littlehampton incident was unfolding.
They were located and picked up, reportedly about an hour after being listed missing, by a pleasure craft which responded to an emergency broadcast by Solent Coastguard.
The divers were transferred to Selsey Lifeboat and taken ashore, where they received medical attention. No serious effects resulting from the incident have been reported. |
