UPDATE: Lethbridge diving community in a state of shock after well-known diver dies during outing on Kootenay Lake
By Castlegar Source
By The Nelson Daily Staff
The diving community in Lethbridge remains in a state of shock after a close friend perished while on an outing in Kootenay Lake Saturday (May 18).
The accident happened during a group dive near the submerged MV Anscombe Ferry, located just off shore in Kootenay Lake 10 kilometers south of Kaslo and north of the resort town of Ainsworth Hot Springs.
“The diver in question was a friend and Dive Buddy,” said a post on the ScubaBoard.com website.
“As always there will be a lot of questions, however at this time we ask that there not be too much speculation. Something more formal will (be) released shortly.”
The BC Coroners Service has since identified the Lethbridge surgeon as Dr. Shane Timothy Mortimer, aged 46, of Lethbridge, Alta.
The BC Coroners Service confirms Mortimer was one of a group of four persons engaged in recreational scuba diving in the area of the MV Anscomb shipwreck near Ainsworth Saturday morning.
Shortly before noon, Mortimer, an experienced scuba diver and instructor, was noted to be in trouble while underwater.
His diving partners attempted rescue and resuscitation, which were then continued by first responders and emergency room staff at the hospital.
Despite these efforts, Mortimer could not be revived. The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death. His family has been notified of his death.
“I spent 100 hours in the water with Shane for the last few years and he’s the most solid, capable diver that I’ve ever dove with,” Marnie, a friend of the deceased said from Lethbridge.
BC Coroners Service releases name of scuba diver who died in Kootenay Lake near Ainsworth
A doctor from Lethbridge, Alberta died Saturday (May 18) while on a dive on Kootenay Lake.
The man was diving near the submerged MV Anscombe Ferry south of Kaslo with a group of friends when something went wrong.
The tragedy happened in the afternoon after two friends in the party had completed their dive and were on shore.
“The diver in question was a friend and Dive Buddy,” said a post on the ScubaBoard.com website.
“As always there will be a lot of questions, however at this time we ask that there not be too much speculation. Something more formal will (be) released shortly.”
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died in a scuba diving incident in Kootenay Lake near Kaslo on May 18.
He is Dr. Shane Timothy Mortimer, aged 46, of Lethbridge, Alta.
Mortimer was one of a group of four persons engaged in recreational scuba diving in the area of the Anscomb shipwreck near Ainsworth on the morning of May 18.
Shortly before noon, Mortimer, an experienced scuba diver, was noted to be in trouble while underwater. His diving partners attempted rescue and resuscitation, which were then continued by first responders and emergency room staff at the hospital.
Despite these efforts, Mortimer could not be revived. The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death. His family has been notified of his death.
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