BARNEGAT, New Jersey (18 May 2009) — The rebreather diver CDNN reported was rescued on Saturday after a scuba diving accident 30 miles east of Barnegat has died. Authorities told CDNN that Gene Wite, 42, of Middleton, Delaware, was scuba diving off the Tuna Seazure dive boat when he apparently encountered problems on his second dive and lost consciousness at a depth of about 38 meters (125 feet). Witnesses said Wite, who was diving for scallops and lobsters, failed to resurface according to the dive plan. Another diver followed his line down and found him unconscious on the seabed tied to his scooter. The diver brought Wite to the surface and the crew of the Tuna Seazure pulled him aboard and started CPR. The U.S. Coast Guard scrambled a rescue helicopter based at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, at about 2:15 pm after receiving a call for help from the Tuna Seazure. The Coast Guard rescue team dropped Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Laub, the rescue swimmer, onto the deck of the Tuna Seazure, then hoisted both aboard the helicopter and resumed CPR during the 32-minute flight to Coast Guard Air Station in Atlantic City. In addition to Laub, the Coast Guard crew included Lt. Christopher Howard, Lt. Stephanie Hurst, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Chaney, the flight mechanic. The Atlantic County Medical Examiner pronounced Wite dead at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City after the helicopter landed about 3:00 pm. According to a local media report, Scott Wigert, dockmaster for the Brielle Yacht Club, said that fatal scuba diving accidents are not uncommon, even among experienced divers. | | Scuba diving accident victim, Gene Wite, 42, was airlifted off the Tuna Seazure dive boat and taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Wite was diving with a Megaladon rebreather. "It's a risky business. It happens to the best of them," Wigert told a local reporter. "Usually the guy runs out of air." Police told CDNN the victim's rebreather and other equipment will be examined, and an autopsy will be performed as part of their investigation to determine the cause of the fatal scuba diving accident. |
