COTE D'AZUR, France (26 Nov 2005) -- One of the country's top scuba divers is feared dead after going missing off the south coast of France. Penny Glover, 42, disappeared after going diving with buddy Jacques Filippi between the coastal resort Hyeres on the Cote D'Azur and the island of Porquerolles in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday. It is believed they deployed a surface marker buoy, but failed to resurface. Coast guards at the Mediterranean resort, near Miss Glover's rented home, were called - but last night a Foreign Office spokesman confirmed bad weather had hampered the search which had now been called off. Last night, Miss Glover's family, from the Halesworth and Beccles areas of north Suffolk, were due to fly to the south of France. They say they will meet members of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) to help look for and recover the bodies of Miss Glover and Mr Filippi. Jon Denny, of Halesworth, Miss Glover's brother in law, said the whole family were distraught. "Her parents are in their 70s," he said. "They are obviously completely and utterly devastated. She was extremely highly regarded and very, very, competent." He added that though the family had not totally given up hope, they were being realistic. "We need the closure," he said. "Two divers are missing but nothing has been found." Miss Glover, who has been diving for nearly 20 years, is a former chief instructor for BSAC, recognised and respected as one of Britain's top rebreather experts. She has the highest possible qualifications in diving and instructing with the club and was instrumental in developing the club's first rebreather training schemes. Miss Glover served as BSAC's regional coach for northern Europe and sat for many years on its governing council. Last night, a BSAC statement described her "unconditional generosity, enthusiasm and energy" for diving. Clare Peddie, BSAC national diving officer, said: "This is an extremely sad loss for all of us who have been privileged to know Penny. Her warmth and kindness will be so deeply missed. | | BSAC Chief Instructor Penny Glover feared dead after trimix scuba diving accident. "Penny was a leading light in the BSAC and she was highly regarded throughout the whole diving community." Jim Watson, from the club, described Miss Glover as a "very likeable, bright and enthusiastic person". "She will be sadly missed," he said. But he added that although members of BSAC would probably try to help recover Miss Glover's body, it was not official club policy and was not encouraged by authorities in either France or England. Miss Glover is one of three sisters brought up in Toft Monks near Beccles and went to Sir John Leman High School in the town. She got a degree from Bradford University, before working at the European Space Agency and then becoming managing director of a Canadian satellite company. Her family said she spent many months of the year in France, near the area she was diving in. The island of Porquerolles is renowned for wrecks such as the Vieux Vapeur and the Farrando and reefs. SOURCE - Archant Regional |
