Cautious New Zealand diver’s death ‘tragic’, says Coroner

The death of a “conservative, cautious diver” has been described as ‘tragic’ by a Coroner Ian Smith.

Wellington man Eric de Vries, 52, drowned while he and his friends were spear fishing at Hunters Bank off the Kapiti Coast in December 2011.

In his just-released findings, Mr Smith says Mr de Vries’ death occurred even though the spear fishing was being carried out in a safe and professional manner.

Mr de Vries’ dive watch – which recorded his dive depths, time under water and surfaces times – identifies the moment he blacked out after fighting a sizeable kingfish.

He sank quickly and when his dive buddy couldn’t spot him, he called for help.

Eric De Vries

Mr de Vries’ body was found by his friends at a depth of about 27 metres and brought to the surface.

Mr Smith has endorsed a recommendation that when using the “one up, one down” diving principle, divers ensure that the person monitoring from the surface maintains visual contact with the submerged diver until they surface and remain surfaced for at least a minute.

Source: www.home.nzcity.co.nz