A Scots pensioner died in a horrific scuba diving incident after an issue with the breathing equipment.
An inquest has recently opened into the death of Neil Barker, originally from Edinburgh, who died earlier this year while diving after having difficulty resurfacing.
The married 72-year-old was born in Edinburgh and lived in Danbury in Chelmsford. He was diving in the water at Bigbury-on-Sea on May 31 and was rushed to a hospital in Plymouth, where his death was confirmed at 1.45pm, reports Devon Live.
Senior coroner Philip Spinney said: “The circumstances of the death are Neil was diving in the water in an area around Bigbury. He was seen to surface and then sank. The RNLI was called and Neil was taken to Derriford Hospital. While in hospital, he was pronounced deceased at 1.45.pm.”
The cause of his death given was drowning, caused by insufficient diluent gas for buoyancy and breathing, and ‘user error’ in the rebreather diving system. Following his death, a tribute was posted on the Facebook page of Chelmsford Scuba Diving Club.
The post said: “It is with deep sadness that I am sharing the below about our friend and fellow diver Neil Barker. There is no easy way to communicate this and apologies for the medium but in order to reach out to all his old friends, past club members and divers. The club has prepared this message:
“Chelmsford Scuba Diving Club, a branch of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), are deeply saddened by the loss of their friend and fellow diver , Neil Barker, who died following a dive off Plymouth, on Friday, May 31, 2024.
“Neil was an active, and enthusiast diver who regularly dived with other members of the club and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. The branch wishes to extend its sincere condolences to Neil’s family at this difficult time.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are subject to investigation by the coroner’s office and no further comment can be made by branch members regarding the incident itself.
“Once again apologies as there is no easy way to communicate this and respect for his family at this time as our thoughts and prayers are with them. RIP Neil our friend and fellow diver.”
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