Investigation under way after student diver dies at Blue Rock Lake

An investigation is under way after a 38-year-old man died during a diving training session at Blue Rock Lake in Gordon’s Bay, last Thursday, August 29.

The man was enrolled for diver training at the Jacks Dive Chest CC Commercial Dive Academy based in Strand.

A media statement issued by the diving academy on Monday, September 2, said the diving student formed part of a group of Jacks Dive Chest CC students who did dives following the training standards at 40m depth.

In the fatal incident, the student diver had become entangled under the water at 40m depth.

“All efforts were made to untie the diver, and several standby divers were deployed to assist with this task.”

According to the academy, the student diver was freed and brought to the surface but his life could not be saved. “Efforts were made to resuscitate the diver on arrival on the surface, but all attempts were fruitless.”

The academy said there is an ongoing investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) as well as by the Department of Employment and Labour into the matter.

In response to Bolander’s questions about who the rescuers or rescue teams on site were, how many student divers took part in the training on the day of the incident, whether it was their first attempt at the 40-metre dive, and if there had been other past incidents of this nature, the academy said through their media contact, Jacques van Wyk: “We cannot disclose any further information, as this matter is investigated by the South African Police and Department of Employment and Labour.”

Western Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that the Somerset West police has registered an inquest for investigation into this matter after receiving an incident report of the drowning of a 38-year-old man at the Blue Rock lake.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” he said.

Western Cape spokesperson of the Department of Employment and Labour, Jason Lloyd, said they are currently investigating the matter in terms of The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, 1993 and a timeline cannot be given on its completion as it depends on the magnitude of the incident and the occupational health and safety factors the department needs to look at. He said the department will at a later stage give a brief overview on which Occupational Health and Safety factors will be focused on.