Accident at Vortex Springs 8-20-10

[ElleDrewinTN]

Salient,

I don't know if we know each other irl, send me a pm, tell me your name and I will do my best to fill you in on what I know first hand. When I say first hand I mean directly from my good friend who is on site right now with his family and not by my own eyes. I trust my friends words about what has happened and what is happening down there, he has no reason to lie, he knew Ben better than just about anyone minus his family. You might be surprised at what you hear and then again you may not.

 

[Kicker1866]

You can rest assured that no "money-hungry lawyer" can file a complaint without your "money-hungry relatives" asking him/her to do so.

Good Lawyers would not bring a claim against the property owner unless the claim had merit. From everything I have learned so far...I do not see any liability on anyone except the diver....so unless the family was willing to put of thousands of dolalrs in litigation expenses and attorney fees they were certain to lose...I doubt a lawsuit is forthcoming. Attorneys are not in the business of throwing good money at bad lawsuits.

 

[Imagineer7.1]

I have been reading over the two days. I knew Ben a few years back. In fact, I met my wife at one of his parties. It has been difficult to read some of the things posted on here, but I truly appreciate the dialogue that has been exchanged here. While I am only a recreational diver who has not been in the water for quite sometime, I can identify and respect the method in which the subject has been approached.

To everyone who has been involved with the recovery effort, I applaud your devotion and dedication to attempt what some may feel is unnecessary at this late hour. You are in my prayers.

To Ben's friends and family. I am deeply sorry for the loss all of you must feel at this time. I knew Ben to be an amazing individual and I know he will be missed by many.

Thanks again to the members at Scubaboard, not only has this been the best source of news for many, it has also been enlightening and educational for some (me) to try and understand what may have gone wrong.

Best,
J

 

[Kicker1866]

I spoke to one of the rescue divers that was on the scene the first day and I asked him what the deal was with the lock/key/gate issue. I was told that there was no problem with the Vortex lock...but evidently the hinge portion of the gate had been broken at some point and another lock or couple of locks had been used to create some type of make shift "door" that would open from the opposite direction, using the Vortex locked side as the hinge side. I am told that THIS is how he gained access to the cave....by using the hinge side as the opening side ...NOT using the Vortex lock or the Vortex key.

The diver was on site the first day and saw this.....is this what everyone else is referring to?
If so....this is odd. Very Odd. It would certainly create more questions for sure.

 

[Cave Diver]

I spoke to one of the rescue divers that was on the scene the first day and I asked him what the deal was with the lock/key/gate issue. I was told that there was no problem with the Vortex lock...but evidently the hinge portion of the gate had been broken at some point and another lock or couple of locks had been used to create some type of make shift "door" that would open from the opposite direction, using the Vortex locked side as the hinge side. I am told that THIS is how he gained access to the cave....by using the hinge side as the opening side ...NOT using the Vortex lock or the Vortex key.

The diver was on site the first day and saw this.....is this what everyone else is referring to?
If so....this is odd. Very Odd. It would certainly create more questions for sure.

That is consistent with other reports that have been posted here and elsewhere. Yes, this is the point of contention that has been brought up in a few posts regarding the gate/key issue.

 

[tracydr]

How the heck did they get the camera back there to take the video? On one hand I was scared, on the other hand, this makes me want to get cave trained, side mount trained, etc because I want to be there!

 

[tonka97]

I have been informed that Vortex is one of the only cave systems that require certified cave divers to lock the gate BEHIND them as they penetrate the cave system.

 

[Meister481]

I have been informed that Vortex is one of the only cave systems that require certified cave divers to lock the gate BEHIND them as they penetrate the cave system.

No, they ask you to false lock it, and to close the door behind you. I put the lock through one side of the chain, lock it and twist the chain around itself so it appears to be locked.

 

[Imagineer7.1]

To put a face on Ben. So that every one knows who we are taking about.
I'm sure this may upset the loved ones and that is not my intent. There's a few pics on the net of Ben that I have located.

Now you can put a face to the incident.
(Hope this are the correct ones from another forum speaking of this incident) ..

That is Ben. And I don't know how that would upset anyone as they are pictures with great memories attached, I am sure.

 

[Cleavitt]

Vortex is the only cave system in Florida that I'm aware of that has a lock/gate at all (other than some permanently gated systems). Thankfully, it is NOT a widespread practice to put gates and locks on all of the caves and springs. Most cave divers wouldn't feel very comfortable locking themselves inside a cave system. I know I wouldn't.