WABANA, Newfoundland, Canada (7 Feb 2007) -- Medical examiners have determined that the death of an American diver involved in a botched Canadian tourism promotion scheme was caused by an air embolism. Cave diver Joe Steffen, 51, died last Sunday in the flooded iron ore mines on Bell Island in Newfoundland. Steffen was one of 16 cave divers involved in the 'Mine Quest' scheme cooked up by local PADI dive shop owner and tourism promoter Rick Stanley to attract more tourists to Bell Island. According to the RMCP, Steffen was found near the ceiling of a tunnel in the mine. Other divers attempted to revive Steffen but failed and he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. After the fatal accident, other members of the dive team voted unanimously not to terminate the project, a decision which was applauded by local Bell Island business and tourism promoters. "When the accident happened, we took the rest of the day off," said Stanley who added that it was just like the old days when miners died in the mine and everybody went back to work the next day. Just like the old days down in the mines. Ocean Quest "award winning" PADI 5-star dive shop owners Rick and Deb Stanley: "...the show must go on..." | | Cave diver Joe Steffen died of an air embolism while diving with the ill-fated Bell Island "Mine Quest" tourism promotion scheme cooked up by TDI instructor-trainer Steve Lewis and Ocean Quest Adventure Resort owner Rick Stanley. Bell Island is the largest of several islands located in Conception Bay and is a popular tourist destination for wreck divers. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
