Eagles Nest Cave Diver Death

[Rick Inman]

From HERE:

WEEKI WACHEE — Divers are searching for the body of a Kentucky man who died Tuesday evening while diving in underwater caverns in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

James D. Woodall II, 39, likely drowned accidentally, according to the Sheriff's Office. No foul play is suspected.

He and Gregory S. Snowden, 34, both of Richmond, Ky., came to Hernando County to go cave diving in the Eagle Nest Underwater Caverns, deputies said.

The caves there are known as the "Mount Everest" or "Grand Canyon" of cave diving for its stunning views, extreme depth and remote location. The area is miles from hard road and difficult to access without off-road vehicles.

The area was actually closed off to cave divers from 1999 to 2003, and few were allowed to dive there before that. However, that didn't stop divers from around the world from illegally accessing the caves.

According to deputies, Woodall and Snowden were at a depth of about 500 feet on Tuesday when Woodall experienced problems with his breathing apparatus.

Snowden tried to help his friend, deputies said, but couldn't. Woodall then drowned deep inside the underwater caves.

Snowden surfaced and called for help at 6:01 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office called in experienced cave divers from St. Petersburg and Citrus County to help recover Woodall's body. But the operation could take hours, deputies said, to find the diver's body and then bring it to the surface.

Woodall's family in Kentucky was notified of his death Tuesday.

Hernando County is home to some of the most challenging cave diving sites in the world — and some of the most dangerous.

In 1987, Jason Tuskes died while diving near Jenkins Creek. Before he died, the 17-year-old Springstead High School student used a knife to scratch a message to his parents and brother on his tank: "I love you Mom, Dad and Christian."

Two divers died in Hernando caves in 1990. Lloyd Morrison, 25, of Hudson drowned that May after being separated from his group. Brent Potts, 29, of Tallahassee, died three months later in 200 feet of water in an accident at the Eagle's Nest that left another diver injured.

In 1999, Italian tourist Guido Gaudenzi, 29, died in a sinkhole under the Sand Hill Scout Reservation after he accidentally sucked air from the wrong tank. He was wearing a tank of pure oxygen at 120 feet, which is toxic at that depth.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Kentucky diver dies at Eagle's Nest. I dont have the link but names have been released.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Very sad indeed

Kentucky man dead, missing after cave diving accident in Hernando County - St. Petersburg Times

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/l...agle-Nest-Caverns/ps-1SpbE5Uqisbs9ChutAw.cspx

 

[Missdirected]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/passings/310706-rip-james-d-woodall.html#post4828779




.

 

[Rick Murchison]

According to deputies, Woodall and Snowden were at a depth of about 500 feet on Tuesday when Woodall experienced problems with his breathing apparatus.

???????????
Thought this system bottomed out around 300...
My bet is that they were about 500' in, and what we have here is typical newspaper accuracy.
Rick

 

[deepstops]

???????????
Thought this system bottomed out around 300...
My bet is that they were about 500' in, and what we have here is typical newspaper accuracy.
Rick

It does, that's more likely their penetration as you stated. Very sad.

 

[Missdirected]

???????????
Thought this system bottomed out around 300...
My bet is that they were about 500' in, and what we have here is typical newspaper accuracy.
Rick

They were headed to The Super Room which is 500' in (wearing dry-suits and using evolutions).

 

[Cave Diver]

???????????
Thought this system bottomed out around 300...
My bet is that they were about 500' in, and what we have here is typical newspaper accuracy.
Rick

It does, that's more likely their penetration as you stated. Very sad.

See below:

Kentucky man dead, recovered after cave diving accident in Hernando County - St. Petersburg Times

WEEKI WACHEE — Divers have recovered the body of a Kentucky man who died Tuesday evening while diving in underwater caverns in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

James D. Woodall II, 39, likely drowned accidentally, according to the Sheriff's Office. No foul play is suspected.

His body was pulled from the waters shortly after midnight by a diver with the St. Petersburg Police Department and the owner of a diving shop in Citrus County.

Woodall and Gregory S. Snowden, 34, both of Richmond, Ky., came to Hernando County to go cave diving in the Eagle Nest Underwater Caverns, deputies said. The men were inexperienced divers and had no certification, said Sgt. Donna Black of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

The caves there are known as the "Mount Everest" or "Grand Canyon" of cave diving for its stunning views, extreme depth and remote location. The area is miles from hard road and difficult to access without off-road vehicles.

The area was actually closed off to cave divers from 1999 to 2003, and few were allowed to dive there before that. However, that didn't stop divers from around the world from illegally accessing the caves.

According to deputies, Woodall and Snowden were down about 270 feet and nearly 500 feet inside the caves Tuesday afternoon when Woodall started having problems with his breathing apparatus.

Snowden tried to help his friend, deputies said, but Woodall was in an "altered mental state" and pushed him away, according to a report. By the time Snowden was able to steady himself after the shove, Woodall had already drowned.

Snowden surfaced and called for help at 6:01 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office then called in the cave divers from St. Petersburg and Citrus County to help recover Woodall's body.

Woodall's family in Kentucky was notified of his death Tuesday.

Hernando County is home to some of the most challenging cave diving sites in the world — and some of the most dangerous.

In 1987, Jason Tuskes died while diving near Jenkins Creek. Before he died, the 17-year-old Springstead High School student used a knife to scratch a message to his parents and brother on his tank: "I love you Mom, Dad and Christian."

Two divers died in Hernando caves in 1990. Lloyd Morrison, 25, of Hudson drowned that May after being separated from his group. Brent Potts, 29, of Tallahassee, died three months later in 200 feet of water in an accident at the Eagle's Nest that left another diver injured.

In 1999, Italian tourist Guido Gaudenzi, 29, died in a sinkhole under the Sand Hill Scout Reservation after he accidentally sucked air from the wrong tank. He was wearing a tank of pure oxygen at 120 feet, which is toxic at that depth.

 

[Cave Diver]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

A thread for condolences has been started here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/passings/310706-rip-james-d-woodall.html

Please keep this discussion on topic and friendly. Off topic postings will be removed.

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[ScubaRich]

The men were inexperienced divers and had no certification, said Sgt. Donna Black of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

Is this true or more reporter BS?