Forwarding from another Yahoo group, as some might be interested.

Mark Beatty

----- Original Message -----
From: Marv Gozum @ JHN
To: divingaccidents@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 4:08 PM
Subject: [divingaccidents] Incident at White Star Quarry, 6/9/09





Incident at White Star Quarry, 6/9/09
I was diving at White Star today. We were stationed about 30 feet
from the rocky ledge at the East end near where the old fence used to
be about 100 feet from the walk-in entrance. Shortly after 2pm I had
removed my gear and had my dry suit part of the way off when we heard
cries for help coming from near the rock-crusher area. Several people
ran down in that direction.

Then one of the instructors and the other DM candidate from my group
ran down towards the area. The diver on the surface indicated there
was a female diver on the bottom. They went in and found her in about
40 feet of water and surfaced. By this time EMS was on-scene. From
the first cry for help to landing her on shore it was 10 minutes
according to my watch.

A few minutes later a life-flight helicopter landed and it's my
understanding she was taken to a hospital in it. While packing up I
overheard a gentleman saying that she hadn't made it but I can't confirm this.

When I was leaving around 3pm there were several police vehicles and
what appeared to be a public safety diver near the step-off entrance
by the crusher.

That's all the information I have at this time.
Last edited by TheAquaticApe; June 6th, 2009 at 07:51 PM..

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/288339-incident-white-star-\
quarry-6-9-09-a.html

I was at the scene and assisted with rescue and first, let me say
that the final report from the local PD and Park Rangers was she
breathing on her own at Toledo hospital after LifeFlight evacuated
her. They were looking at it as a possible heart attack since she was
reported as just been heavily stressed by running tanks back from
fill station then jumping in the water.

To answer some of the questions, she was 56 year old female who was
certified but brand new to diving. She had two dive buddies one
female and one male of equal age. Both buddies were assisted to shore
after showing signs of severe shock and distress. Their report was
confused and conflicting due to stress of rescue but it appears
victim was panicked underwater and attempting buddy breathing but
seperated from buddy and became lost. Male buddy surfaced and
screamed for help where a female Divemaster was there assisting in a
class (not related to victim). She relayed the cry for help and
called 911. Male dive buddy could not locate victim at which point
several nearby divers entered the water and began emergency
procedures. Victim was located at about 40 feet and was unresponsive,
brought to the surface and and in-water CPR was started. By the time
dive team returned victim to shore EMS, Fire team, Park Rangers,
Local PD and Whitestar staff were on site and began working on
victim. As they were working victim, LifeFlight was called and landed
within minutes. Quarry entry point was closed and Accident
Investigation Team took control with assistance of Quarry Staff and
began investigation of dive site.

Topside response was some of the best I've seen once accident was
reported. As a special note, the female Divemaster said several other
people saw and heard victim's buddy screaming for help but this site
is commonly used for Rescue Class and therefore many thought this was
a class until she was said it wasn't. Once that point was reached -
EVERYONE - jumped to help. This included several Divers, Divemasters,
Instructors and Instructor Trainer who arrived wearing full gear in
his truck. EMS and law enforcement was on site almost immediately as
they are located just outside the park.

As an "after action report" I can't think of anything Whitestar or
the emergency folks could have done differently or better. I'd also
like to add my personal thanks to everyone there who helped.

If any other individuals who helped are reading this, you should know
that the last thing the victim's buddies said before they left for
the hospital, was they really wished they could thank each of you for
your help.





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