Local News Cameraman dies off of Catalina

[seansrs36]

Apparently, a Channel 7 (ABC) cameraman was out diving yesterday and died according to ABC-7s website and FB page. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Wonder if he was on a private boat or what. Here is the link to the article:

ABC7 photographer Artie Williams III dies, will be missed | abc7.com

 

[promocop]

Why doesn't anyone know what happened????

 

[merxlin]

There is more info in a post in the So Cal forum here http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/430951-makes-two-week-please-safe-out-there.html. He was on the Sundiver Express out of Long Beach.

As far as what happened- we may never know for sure but he was at the surface and got immediate attention (they were diving very close to the chamber). All indications are that it was a medical issue and not an OOA, rapid ascent, DCI or other diving issue.

 

[Scubaschne]

I had the pleasure of diving with Artie in the Cayman Islands in 2008 with a friend of mine. He was a great diver and the nicest man you could meet. R.I.P Artie....................

 

[tempoffroad]

I have read in other post that he was a very experienced diver. Lead me to think medical.

 

[promocop]

Thanks

 

[Divegirl412]

I had the pleasure of diving with Artie in the Cayman Islands in 2008 with a friend of mine. He was a great diver and the nicest man you could meet. R.I.P Artie....................

Thanks, K. He really was special. He will be missed.

As far as cause, I also suspect medical issues, but I don't want to speculate, and am waiting for the final word after the investigation is complete. However, I dived with him several times, and he was a very careful and experienced diver.

 

[drbill]

My condolences to the family and friends.

 

[Dyvingluvly]

My condolences to Artie's family and friends. I
also had the pleasure of diving with Artie in Fiji, Barbados and Tobago. He was a very experienced diver and the nicest guy I have ever met. I will miss him dearly.

 

[Ken Kurtis]

Per Pastor Marlon Saunders of Valencia Christian Center (where Artie was an Usher):

The Homegoing Celebration for Artie Williams has been confirmed:

The service will be:
Tuesday, August 28th
11:00AM
Grace Baptist Church
22833 Copper Hill Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91350

The outpouring of love and support for Artie was so great VCC couldn't hold the expected crowd. Grace Baptist will host as they have a much larger sanctuary.