XEMXIJA BAY, Malta (11 Sep 2008) — People who knew Frank Baldacchino described him as a quite and reserved man who smiled a lot and made everyone happy. Yesterday, rescuers found his body in Paradise Bay two days after he was reported missing. Baldacchino, 43, was an engineer who enjoyed competitive free-diving, an extreme sport that revolves around depth records and product endorsements. Authorities said Baldacchino died while free-diving and may have been a victim of shallow water blackout. When he failed to return on Monday, relatives notified rescue officials who immediately launched a full-scale search with a helicopter, a patrol boat and divers. Baldacchino's body was found at about 7am on Wednesday morning. | | Frank Baldacchino, 43, died free-diving in Malta. "It is a big loss for us. He was a trustworthy person, very thoughtful and methodical," colleague Paul Montanaro told reporters. |
