HOOD CANAL, Washington (12 Apr 2003) -- The victim of a fatal commercial scuba diving accident Saturday near the Hood Canal bridge has been identified as a Lacey man who owned and operated his own commercial diving service. Douglas Williams, 42, owner of Northwest Diving and Marine, died Saturday afternoon when he apparently became entangled in drilling equipment while working in Hood Canal. Williams operated the commercial diving business as a side job. He also worked in the marine resource division for the state Department of Natural Resources and was involved in geoduck issues, said his father-in-law, Roy Friis. There will be an autopsy today to determine the cause of death, said Sgt. Ben Stamper of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Alone in the water Stamper said Williams was working with three other team members to drill a series of holes in the floor of Hood Canal from which to anchor buoys. Williams was the only person in the water when he became entangled in the drilling gear. | | His colleagues pulled him to the surface and called for help at about 2:30 p.m. They met deputies at a nearby boat launch on the Kitsap County side of the canal. The accident is being investigated by Jefferson County because it happened on that side of the line, Stamper explained. Northwest Diving and Marine, based in Olympia, specializes in diving and construction projects, installing anchor structures for boats and docks and other marine facilities. Williams and his wife, Lorraine, have a son, 4, and their second child is due in less than two months, his father-in-law said. Services will be announced after the autopsy is completed. SOURCE - The Olympian |
