HAGATNA, Guam (30 Nov 2004) -- Navy officials released the identity yesterday of a petty officer who drowned in the waters of Asan last week, marking the 20th drowning of the year. The family of Petty Officer 1st Class Paul G. Richardson has been notified of his death, according to Senior Chief Jonathan Annis, deputy public affairs officer for the Navy. Richardson was assigned to the USS Frank Cable, Annis said. On Friday afternoon, two fishermen reported that they found a body in the Asan Channel. Navy officials have said Richardson was found in full diving gear with two scuba tanks, and said that the diver may have run out of air while under water. | | Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Aurelio Espinola, who performed an autopsy on Richardson yesterday, said that he has classified Richardson's death as a drowning. His death marks the island's 20th drowning of the year. Last year, six people drowned in the island's waters, and 2002 also saw six drowning deaths, files state. SOURCE - Pacific Daily News |
