AUCKLAND, New Zealand (5 Apr 2009) — A man who died in a bizarre diving accident this week called his daughter out of the blue just days before to say he loved her. Laurie Lloyd, 50, died in 4m of water off Little Barrier Island on Thursday while diving with friends. He was the only diver of the group wearing scuba gear. After he failed to surface from a dive his friends found him lying on the sea floor and had to dive to retrieve his body. Despite their resuscitation efforts - and efforts by the Westpac rescue helicopter crew - Lloyd did not gain consciousness. Police have impounded his diving gear and sent it for tests to try to find out what happened. His wife, Gwenda, said the family heard the something was wrong when one of the diving party called them at home. "We were just devastated. We were all sitting here praying." Lloyd married Gwenda on February 7, his 50th birthday. It was his second marriage. Gwenda said she met Lloyd when he came to her rescue from a pesky punter in a West Auckland pub eight years ago. "I scoured the room and he was the biggest guy there." After Lloyd diffused the situation they became friends then a couple. Lloyd had seven children and two foster children. His daughter Desiree said that only a few days ago her dad had called out of the blue and said he loved her. Lloyd's funeral will be held at his Riverhead home tomorrow, followed by a burial at Kumeu Cemetery. by ANNA RUSHWORTH | 
