Big Pine Key – An Orlando man died while diving offshore of Big Pine Key Monday.
Deputy Aaron Coller responded to the Dolphin Marina on Little Torch Key at 6:15 p.m. to reports a diver was being brought in from offshore, not breathing. CPR was being performed on board a Tow Boat US boat that had picked him up and was bringing him to shore.
The 65 year old victim was scuba diving with a friend. They had been diving for two days, and were on the third dive of the day in 15 – 20 feet of water at Big Pine Shoal. The friend said they surfaced and were taking off their equipment on different sides of the boat. He said he spoke to the victim and got no response so he checked on him. He said he didn’t see him near the boat He said he looked around and spotted what looked like dive gear floating on the surface a distance away. Then he realized it was the victim.
He swam out to him and pulled him back to the boat and got him out of the water. He called for help on his VHF radio and two boats that were a few miles away responded, including the Tow Boat US boat.
After the victim was brought to shore, he was transported by paramedics to Fishermen’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of his death.
Detectives are attempting to notify his next of kin today and will release his name after they are made aware of the death.