HARTLEPOOL, UK (20 Dec 2007) — Michael Morvan, 36, had to be pulled from the water during the lesson with Hartlepool Diving Club, in the marina, on March 11 and died shortly after. Town coroner Malcolm Donnelly recorded a verdict of natural causes, during the inquest into his death at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court. He said the results of an autopsy by Dr Mark Egan, who is based at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, concluded that Mr Morvan suffered from heart disease, which was the most likely cause of death. Hartlepool CID also carried out an investigation, which determined there had been no wrongdoing and the club had followed all procedures correctly. Mr Donnelly summarised: "I believe it was natural causes that led to the death. Having lifted him from the water and cutting off his wetsuit, there was nothing anyone could do. That's a sad but unavoidable fact." Mr Morvan, a driver for Hudson's Taxis for seven years, had only recently taken up the sport and it was his second time out with the group after having spent £900 on hi-tech diving equipment. He was helped by his nine fellow divers near the Wingfield Castle and bandstand, who cut off his wetsuit and tried to resuscitate him before an ambulance arrived. After paramedics found it impossible to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. His partner of five years, Janice Dunbar, 57, said no-one had a bad word to say about the Wynyard Road man. The mother-of-two said: "He was a kind and generous man who would do anything for anyone. "He was a fabulous person, we all really miss him especially his mum, Helene Morvan, who has been really upset by the whole situation. But we are all still coming to terms with it." Miss Dunbar says she feels the death could have been easily avoided by bringing in statutory medicals whenever someone joins a club. | | Novice diver Michael Morvan died at the age of 36 on his second dive with BSAC's Hartlepool Diving Club. Coroner Malcolm Donnelly agreed at an inquest hearing that medicals should be required for first-time members in such sports as diving, to highlight any unknown conditions. "The club did everything correctly, butI feel that if he'd had a medical, his problem would have been picked up. Bringing in medicals would save these tragic accidents happening." Mr Donnelly agreed at the hearing in principle to medicals for first-time members in such sports as diving, to highlight any unknown conditions. Malcolm Logan, chairman of the town's diving club, said: "I agree that there should be a medical by a doctor when you first join a club. "There are currently self-certified medicals, but you are basing that on how you feel." Mr Logan added the death has had a big impact on the club. "It causes a lot of soul searching. It cut us all up, because we are all doing something we love. "The first time we went back to the marina we were so on edge and there has been a very sombre atmosphere within the club, as we have been asking what we could have done differently, but it was a tragic accident." SOURCE - Hartlepool MailSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
