TOBERMORY, Scotland (23 Mar 2008) — Members of a BSAC scuba diving club in the UK have expressed shock after a fatal accident that killed one of their fellow divers. Father-of-four Neil Rodgers, 40, disappeared at about 1:15pm on March 16 while scuba diving at the Rondo shipwreck in the Sound of Mull. Despite a massive air, sea and shoreline search, Coastguard rescue teams found no trace of the missing BSAC diver. Rodgers, an engineer and experienced recreational diver, was married and a father of three young sons, aged 13, 12 and 10, and a daughter aged 8. The family released a statement via the South Yorkshire Police that said: "We are traumatised and shocked by the news of Neil's disappearance and ask to be left alone at this difficult time." Fellow members of the Doncaster Sub Aqua Club, which organized and led the dive tour to Scotland, expressed their condolences to the victim's family and said they were shocked by the death of one of their most popular and enthusiastic members. Statement from Linda Lawcock, chairperson of Doncaster Sub Aqua Club, on behalf of the whole club. "The Officers and members of Doncaster SAC, a branch of the British Sub Aqua Club, wish to express their sincere condolences and support to the family and friends of one of our members, Neil Rodgers who is reported missing, presumed dead, following a dive on the wreck of the Rondo, Sound of Mull on Sunday 16 March. "Neil failed to surface safely from the dive and after extensive air, sea and shoreline searches were conducted throughout Sunday and Monday the diver is presumed lost. Neil was a long standing and enthusiastic member of the diving club and was well liked and will be sadly missed by all members of the club. | | BSAC diver Neil Rodgers went missing while exploring the Rondo shipwreck. He leaves behind four young children, aged 8 - 13. "The police and the Procurator Fiscal are undertaking an investigation and so we are unable to comment further. All members of Doncaster SAC are shocked by this incident and their thoughts are with the family and friends of Neil at this difficult time." © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKCDNN RELATED NEWSSCOTLAND - Scuba diver disappears during wreck diveSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
