PULAU TIOMAN, Malaysia (10 Mar 2009) — A tourist who was scuba diving off Pulau Tioman died after she was hit by a dive boat propeller. Go Ayaka, 29, a Japanese national who works as an accountant in Singapore, had completed her second dive of the day at Malang Rock off the northwest coast of Pulau Tioman when the accident occurred. Witnesses said Ayaka was still in the water next to the dive boat when one of the crew started the boat's engine. Ayaka suffered severe cuts to her neck, chest and shoulder, and bled to death despite efforts by a divemaster working for the dive boat operator to save her. Deputy district police chief Assistant Superintendent Zainul Mujahidin Mat Yudin said the victim's body was taken to Mersing Hospital. Police are investigating the accident and a post-mortem examination will be performed. The dive boat operator declined to comment about the fatal accident and why the vessel's engine was started while a customer was still in the water. Propeller accidents on the rise Accidents in which scuba divers are hit by boat propellers are increasing at popular scuba diving destinations around the world. Divers who are hit by boats, including vessels operated by scuba diving companies, often suffer severe injuries or death. Last June another scuba diver in Malaysia died at Pulau Dayang after he was hit by a boat propeller. In July 2004, also in Malaysia, a boat hit and killed a young British tourist who was snorkeling off Redang. For a complete listing of CDNN news reports on accidents involving boat propellers, click HERE. | 
