Search for diver called off

Dorothy Morris, 49, of Lavernock Close, Redcar, Teesside, went missing with fellow diver Stuart Haldine, 43, from Droitwich, Worcestershire, on Monday.

The two had been part of a group on a charter boat diving near a reef off the Garvellach islands, near Oban, Argyll. The area is understood to be very popular for diving.

The alarm was raised when Mr Haldine came to the surface. A doctor was rushed to the scene in a rescue boat but pronounced him already dead.

Strathclyde Police Underwater Unit, the Oban and Islay Lifeboats and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter, as well as the remaining members of the diving party all carried out an extensive search of the area, but they were unable to find Mrs Morris.

A spokesman for the Clyde coastguard said the search was finally called off after a helicopter did a final search and reported that Mrs Morris's body had not come to the surface of the water.

The spokesman added: "It could never come up. There have been occurrences when the body never comes up."

Both Mrs Morris and Mr Haldine were members of the British Sub Aqua Club. Mrs Morris had two years experience. She was also secretary of the Cleveland Divers, of Saltburn, and was married with two children.

A spokesman for the British Sub Aqua Club said the pair were sufficiently experienced to handle the type of diving required in the Oban area as they were sports level divers, which meant they had completed at least 20 dives.

The spokesman said: "We are unlikely to know what actually occurred because both people who might have been able to explain it are dead. Maybe either an autopsy or further investigations may give us an explanation of what happened. It is very sad for everyone involved in this incident."

Clyde Coastguard said the cause of the tragic incident may only be known if Strathclyde Police launched an investigation.

Mrs Morris and Mr Haldine bring the total number of members of the British Sub Aqua Club who have died while diving to 20 since October last year