Cape Town - Blue Rock Lake in Somerset West has been hit with another tragedy after a professional diver drowned following a rescue act.
The 38-year-old man died after helping a student diver in distress on August 29.
Jacks Dive Chest - Commercial Diving Academy in Strand confirmed the diver’s death.
In a statement, the academy said dives were done following the training standards at a depth of 40 metres.
However, during the dive last week, one of the students became entangled in the water, prompting efforts to untie the person and the deployment of multiple standby divers.
“The dive and following rescue were done on class ll Surface Supply. All safety protocols were adhered to continuously.
“Our management team was on site while the rescue was in process,” the academy said.
“The student diver was freed later in the afternoon and brought to the surface, but the diver passed away in the incident.
“Efforts were made to resuscitate the diver on arrival on the surface, but all attempts were fruitless.”
Jacques van Wyk, the diving academy's general manager and legal adviser, could not provide any further information and directed enquiries to KMG Attorneys, their legal representatives.
“Unfortunately, there is an ongoing police investigation and a Department of Employment and Labour investigation, and we cannot comment as this stage, as this matter is sub judice,” Van Wyk said.
Police said that an inquest docket was opened for investigation.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said: “The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”
Department of Employment and Labour spokesperson Jason Lloyd said: “We are still investigating the incident.”
According to its website, the academy is the oldest commercial diving academy in Cape Town and conducts specialised training for students in a portion of the Blue Rock Cable Waterski Resort.
Reaching out for comment yesterday on the incident, the resort declined, indicating that it needed 24 hours to formulate a response.
The drowning is not the first incident of this nature to happen at this specific location, after a professional diver undertaking Navy training drowned there in 2020.
At the time, the deceased was identified as Jeremias Lubela, who was understood to be an Angolan national from the town of Cabinda.
It was discovered that he was at Blue Rock receiving commercial dive instruction from the academy.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za
Cape Argus