NORTH CANTERBURY, New Zealand (18 Dec 2005) -- Former Crusaders physiotherapist Steven Cope is missing, feared dead after failing to return from a dive at Motunau Beach in North Canterbury on Saturday. The 44-year-old was diving with four friends about 8am when he became separated from the group and did not resurface. A day-long search by the Canterbury Coastguard, a police dive squad, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and local charter vessels failed to find Cope. A search by local boats yesterday was also unable to find the missing man, but searchers planned to continue the hunt tomorrow. Cope's friends had also returned from Motunau and were reportedly devastated about the tragedy. Cope's father, Robin Cope, told The Press that Steven was a "well-liked and popular guy". Cope had six siblings, as well as two children of his own. Robin Cope said he had just taken up diving again when the accident happened. | | "He took an advanced diving course in Rarotonga, so he was quite an experienced diver," he said. Cope also had a fourth dan black-belt in Seido karate, and had been a judo champion as a child. Cope was the Crusaders' physiotherapist from the inaugural season in 1996 through to 1999. In his time the team won two Super 12 titles. Last night Robbie Deans, manager of the Crusaders at the time, said he was shocked to hear the news about Cope. Deans said Cope was not only a great worker, but also gave a lot of thought to rugby. "`Copey' was an advanced thinker... he was the first bloke who pushed for functional strength work for players. His capacity to work was remarkable. "It's terrible. I saw him just last week and had talked about catching up," Deans said. SOURCE - Stuff |
