BVI Cruise Ship Passenger Diving Death

[divezonescuba]

I don't think that this has been posted before.

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

A cruise ship passenger died last week while diving the Wreck of the Rhone off Salt Island. Max Van Niekerk, a 48-year-old British national, was a passenger onboard the cruise ship Oceana, which docked in Tortola on Jan. 7, police said. Mr. Van Niekerk, a PADI certified diver, dove the Wreck of the Rhone with the Tortola dive shop Aquaventure.

At some point during the dive, he lost consciousness and was rushed to Peebles Hospital. He was briefly resuscitated, but later died at the hospital.

According to police, investigations will continue to determine the cause of death.

The full story appears in the Jan. 15, 2008 issue.

 

[bluewaterdiva]

How sad! Husband Eric and I dove the wreck of the RMS Rhone back in 2001.

 

[PNW Dive Girl]

That's sad. The Rhone is one of my favorite dives. I'd be interested in more information as to what happened.

 

[levn]

When the autopsy was carried out 8 days latter it was found that he had drowned. He had a good strong heart and no sign of the bends. Todate we are still awaiting on the forensic examination report on the dive equipment.

 

[fire_diver]

That isn't saying anything. All deaths underwater are considered drownings. Anything from coronary disease, stroke, embolism, suicide, etc could be that cause of the drowning.

 

[levn]

at the autopsy they looked for a reason for the death, no coronary disease, no stroke, no embolism, etc - he had nothing wrong except water in the lungs.... he did not commit suicide.

 

[rsldonk]

at the autopsy they looked for a reason for the death, no coronary disease, no stroke, no embolism, etc - he had nothing wrong except water in the lungs.... he did not commit suicide.

Since you have an idea of the autopsy results, could you please post more information since it's pretty obvious that you have it?