Scuba diving accident kills another American quarry diver
by LUTHER MONROE @ CDNN - CYBER DIVER News Network
LOUDON COUNTY, Virginia (10 May 2009) — A man who was participating in a rescue diver scuba diving course died while he was learing to rescue scuba divers.
Authorities told CDNN the scuba diving course accident victim was Gary Watkins, 57, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
Witnesses said Watkins was learning to rescue a drowning victim at a privately owned quarry off Harris Road when he suddenly disappeared beneath the surface.
Police said Watkins was underwater for about two minutes before other divers who were involved in the rescue diver course pulled him to the surface.
Despite attempts to revive the victim, Watson died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center after he was transferred from Sweetwater Hospital.
Police are investigating the scuba diving fatality and a post-mortem examination will be performed to determine the cause of death.
