Key Largo – A Michigan woman died while diving offshore of Key Largo today.
64 year old Donna Hartson of Sterling Heights, Michigan was on board the commercial dive vessel Silent World 4 with her husband, Leroy Hartson, and six other divers. They were diving on the Benwood Reef, offshore of Key Largo between 2 and 3 p.m.
According to the vessel’s captain, the diver’s had been in the water for about 40 minutes. They were getting ready to leave the area and go to another location. He said when Hartson surfaced, he saw her signaling for help. When the vessel reached her, she was not responsive. They pulled her on to the boat, began CPR, and called the Coast Guard to notify them of the trouble.
When they reached Port Largo Subdivision, they were met by deputies and paramedics. Hartson was transported to Mariner’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of her death.