Cooper River diver missing - South Carolina

[BDSC]

I just can't believe it. While I had never met Clark, we work for the same company and he was scheduled to be at my facility next week. We were going to do dinner one night. I had emailed and spoken with him numerous times and he had just signed up to go on a Socorros trip with us in 2019. We were even thinking about diving the local quarry here next Monday if he could get away early and meet up.

This is so incredibly sad.

 

[ryfly161]

I worked with Clark and we talked about diving a good bit and planned a few dive trips together. We have a small group of divers here at work. We have been given some information about what occurred. The preliminary autopsy report that has been given is that Clark suffered a heart attack while underwater. The ME did not find water in his lungs and the only problem that they have found with equipment was he didn't have his mask on when was found. This is a sad event, everyone stay safe out there.

 

[GreggS]

I worked with Clark and we talked about diving a good bit and planned a few dive trips together. We have a small group of divers here at work. We have been given some information about what occurred. The preliminary autopsy report that has been given is that Clark suffered a heart attack while underwater. The ME did not find water in his lungs and the only problem that they have found with equipment was he didn't have his mask on when was found. This is a sad event, everyone stay safe out there.

I had the feeling that it was probably a heart attack. When I read about how strong the current was there, I could just imagine how he was having to exert himself moving around against the current. And that would probably explain his mask being off, either the current itself taking it off or washing him into something that removed it.

As I said, I had gotten to know Clark over the past few months and have dove with him a couple of times. I've not been able to get this off my mind since I heard about it Monday. So tragic.

And, yes, everybody do stay safe and careful.

 

[BDSC]

I've not been able to get this off my mind since I heard about it Monday.

Same here. Like I said, I had never even met Clark but had become friends with him through ScubaBoard and work with numerous phone conversations and emails. I'm sitting here looking at my calendar right now and I have next week penciled in as Clark being here and us meeting up. We will never get that chance.

 

[TONY CHANEY]

So sad.

 

[wilsjon]

He lives in my neighborhood but I have not gotten a chance to know him. Sounds like a great guy. Unfortunately I read too many accidents on this forum that may be a heart attack in men over the age of 50. Diving is challenging sport, and unfortunately the way we find out how challenging it is individually can be tragic.

 

[Ioncloud9]

I live in the Charleston area and just finished my confined water for OW certification that day. From what I read in on the news and the experience the diver had it seemed it was likely a heart attack, not a training or gear problem. But it was a real wake up call that people die in this sport, and made me rethink getting my 59 year old father into diving.

 

[BillyBayou]

I worked with Clark and we talked about diving a good bit and planned a few dive trips together. We have a small group of divers here at work. We have been given some information about what occurred. The preliminary autopsy report that has been given is that Clark suffered a heart attack while underwater. The ME did not find water in his lungs and the only problem that they have found with equipment was he didn't have his mask on when was found. This is a sad event, everyone stay safe out there.

Where did you get this information? I've been trying to find the autopsy results for some time, with no luck. I was diving the Cooper that day just down river from his boat. We were called by his boat capt to help look for his missing diver. Me and the guys I was with were curious as to the confirmed cause.

DSAO
Billy

 

[ryfly161]

Where did you get this information? I've been trying to find the autopsy results for some time, with no luck. I was diving the Cooper that day just down river from his boat. We were called by his boat capt to help look for his missing diver. Me and the guys I was with were curious as to the confirmed cause.

DSAO
Billy

We got this information from his family. I worked with Clark and they informed us of what the Coroner had told them was the preliminary autopsy report. At that time they will still waiting on the toxicology report but had no reason to think it was anything else. I haven’t looked for anything since his funeral so I don’t know if they have released the final report.

 

[Diver2018]

Very sad. But I don't think diving should be discouraged for anyone that is in good health.