GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK (24 May 2008) — THE father of a professional diver who was crushed to death under 3.5 metres of water after a leaky dam burst has said the inquest into his death has left him and his family 'utterly disappointed and disillusioned'. David Moore, 29, from Southsea, was servicing the Upper Lode lock gate, in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, four years ago, when the temporary dam 'blew out' and he became trapped, an inquest heard. Workers fought to save Mr Moore, who had recently be come engaged, but could not pull his air line too hard for fear of taking off his helmet. Mr Moore was eventually rescued by a fellow diver and taken to Cheltenham General Hospital where he died the same day. After an eight-day jury inquest, a narrative verdict was returned. After the hearing, Mr Moore's father Alick released a statement condemning the inquest verdict and procedure. He insists his son was killed due to unsafe practices. He added: 'We had hoped the inquest would bring clarity and relief and some level of closure to our grief, but instead we found the experience to be an upsetting and traumatic event from which we have learnt nothing new. 'The only exception was that we learnt for the first time, from the Home Office pathologist, that our beloved son was immediately knocked unconscious after being crushed by tons of water. 'It has taken three-and-a half years for us to find this out. We have lived with the nightmare of what he might have suffered for far too long.' The Crown Prosecution Service decided no criminal charges were justified, following the death of Mr Moore, of Victoria Grove, on October 15, 2004. SOURCE - The News | 
