General Vortex Incident Discussion

[BDSC]

I have another question. Is it typical when a diver is lost/missing in a cave system like this and presumed dead that it is treated as a crime scene? I don't know if I have ever heard of this before. If it's typical then so be it. But if not, does anyone know why this is being treated a little differently?

 

[Rick Murchison]

... I had planned to go in and Video the cave in July, but the trip fell through due to several factors. I'd still like to video it and post it, just so that others won't feel the need to dive it. It's not that pretty. Especially with a big old pipe running through it...

Somewhere I have some video I took several years ago, before the pipe was in there, back to the long restriction just beyond the vertical crack. It's pretty sorry quality, but I'll see if I can dig it out & make it available.
Rick

 

[Cave Diver]

I have another question. Is it typical when a diver is lost/missing in a cave system like this and presumed dead that it is treated as a crime scene? I don't know if I have ever heard of this before. If it's typical then so be it. But if not, does anyone know why this is being treated a little differently?

Purely speculation on my part, but I would think it's due to the time involved. Most recoveries are done fairly quickly within a day or so, sometimes within hours. In this case you have a missing person and the body hasn't been accounted for. That doesn't mean it's not an accident, but I would think they need to preserve the scene for additional evidence as much as possible in case a recovery is not made.

 

[mike_s]

I have another question. Is it typical when a diver is lost/missing in a cave system like this and presumed dead that it is treated as a crime scene? I don't know if I have ever heard of this before. If it's typical then so be it. But if not, does anyone know why this is being treated a little differently?

yes...

Until the investigation is complete, they don't know what happened and have to treat it like any other scene where an investigation occurs.

 

[bleeb]

I would think that the recovery should be being administrated by the local law enforcement officials with validation of participant credentials by Vortex as to the prospective recover divers' certifications and abilities.

I don't recall it being discussed, but how knowledgeable are the local law enforcement officials about cave diving recoveries? It was previously implied that they may have had to ask the volunteer search divers to interpret the victim's dive log, which would suggest they may not have a good understanding of the particular level of risk involved.

Or is the second-hand news report a misinterpretation of the dive team looking for more support, or waiting for other IUCRR colleagues to arrive?

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

I would think that the recovery should be being administrated by the local law enforcement officials with validation of participant credentials by Vortex as to the prospective recover divers' certifications and abilities.

the K

Recovery must be done by ICURR people or you have committed a crime.

 

[ScubaNurse758]

I dont recall hearing one way or the other on this.... have the recovery teams found any evidence of fresh collapse in the parts of the cave they have searched?

 

[MRXRAY]

Has anyone confirmed that the FBI is onsite searching and are they bringing a dive team with them?

 

[mike_s]

Has anyone confirmed that the FBI is onsite searching and are they bringing a dive team with them?

is the FBI dive team qualified to dive this cave?


I'm still not sure why the FBI would be interested in a local death unless other circumstances are involved.

 

[diver 85]

is the FBI dive team qualified to dive this cave?


I'm still not sure why the FBI would be interested in a local death unless other circumstances are involved.

.......makes one wonder........