SCARBOROUGH, UK — The families of two divers who died off the coast of North Yorkshire have paid tribute to the men. Stephen John Bailey, 49, of Filey, and Malcolm Exley, 52, of Scarborough, died after getting into difficulty eight miles off the coast of Filey on Monday. Mr Bailey's family said he was "loving, kind, warm and gentle". Mr Exley's family said he was "liked by all". They said they took comfort in knowing that he died doing something that he loved. The men, who were both members of Filey Diving Club, had been diving with two other men when they got into trouble in the water. In a statement, Mr Bailey's wife Helen and children Anna and Robert said he learned to snorkel on a family holiday in 2003 and discovered Filey Diving Club soon after. They said: "He had an appetite to learn in depth an understanding of all aspects of diving. He had an unquestioning respect for the sea. "Steve was an experienced diver and would dive weekly with his friends from the club. His diving buddies became close friends and as a family we cannot begin to imagine the impact that this tragedy will have on them." Mr Bailey and Mr Exley dived together "on many occasions", the family said. "As a family we know that whatever tragedy occurred there would be no question of one not aiding the other and that in itself brings a glimmer of comfort to us all," they added. | | The scuba diving accident victims, Stephen John Bailey, 49, of Filey, and Malcolm Exley, 52, of Scarborough, both members of the Filey Brigg Sub Aqua Club, were experienced divers who were diving off On A Promise, a dive boat owned by Chris Baker. Mr Exley's wife Dot and their children Karen and Gary said he spent 20 years in the Army and was a keen fisherman who also enjoyed shooting with his friends and his two dogs. They said: "Mal would help anybody who needed him and because of this he was well respected and liked by all. |
