KEY LARGO, Florida (20 Jan 2007) -- A college professor on holiday in Florida has died after a scuba diving accident in the Florida Keys. Kendra Conrad Motter, 40, of Canton, Ohio, died at Mariner's Hospital five days after she lost consciousness while scuba diving for the first time with Horizon Divers of Key Largo. Horizon Divers owner Dan Dawson said that Motter was under the supervision of her husband Michael, a certified scuba diving instructor, when the accident happened. Dawson told reporters that the Motters were among a dozen divers aboard the 'Cheecaview' dive boat along with a divemaster and captain. After the couple entered the water, they signaled to the divemaster who was still on the boat that they were OK. What happened next is unclear but apparently Kendra Motter experienced problems at the surface or as she started to descend, and lost consciousness. Michael Motter called back to the boat for help and the divemaster entered the water to rescue the sticken diver. The divemaster started administering rescue breaths as he pulled Kendra Motter back to the dive boat. An ER doctor happened to be among the group of divers onboard the 'Cheecaview' and led the effort to resuscitate Motter as the boat sped back to harbor. Paramedics rushed the victim to hospital where she died five days later. The cause of the accident has not been released pending the results of an autopsy. Happier times for Mike Ryan of Horizon Divers. Police arrested and jailed Ryan who has been charged with felony counts after attempting to destroy evidence, resisting arrest and obstructing police officers investigating the scuba diving death of Kendra Conrad Motter | | Horizon Divers 'Cheecaview' dive boat where police arrested an employee of the PADI - National Geographic dive center on felony counts. Michael Motter announced that Kendra's organs have been donated for transplant operations. Horizon Divers divemaster arrested, jailed Police investigating the scuba diving fatality arrested and jailed Mike Ryan of Horizon Divers and charged him with felony counts for attempting to destroy evidence, resisting arrest and obstructing police officers. Deputy Becky Herrin of the Monroe County Sheriff's office told reporters that Ryan ignored Deputy Julie Smith's orders to turn over the rental scuba diving equipment Kendra Motter was using when she lost consciousness. After Ryan was ordered to stop handling the dive gear, "(he) picked up Motter's dive computer, attached to the equipment, and reportedly appeared to be attempting to alter it in some way," Deputy Herrin said. In 2006, there were 15 scuba diving and snorkeling fatalities in the Florida Keys. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba ForumCDNN Related NewsFLORIDA - Dive charter business owner dies scuba diving in Florida Keys |
