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#2935
Missing 14 year old UK diver
mo - 8/14/2008 8:10 AM
Category: General
Replies: 3

The search for a 14-year-old diver missing off Devon has been called off after a second day.


Louis Price, from Newport, south Wales, went missing off Berry Head in Torbay at about 1315 BST on Tuesday.


The boy, who was diving with his father, disappeared when the pair were surfacing. A search operation was started after the alarm was raised.


Helicopters, lifeboats and police diving teams were involved in the second day of searching on Wednesday.


The father and son - both experienced divers - were diving from a rigid inflatable boat.


The alarm was raised by a vessel called Jennifer Ann, which made a distress call on the dive boat’s behalf, as it did not have a VHF radio onboard.


Police said the father was first to surface following the dive and the boy was seen to surface soon after.


’Tilted backwards’


"He was described by family as being seen slightly tilted backwards as though his jacket was inflated and was buoyant in no apparent signs of distress," a police spokesperson said.


"Having surfaced there appears to have been problems trying to start the small rib and the father subsequently called for help from a passing charter boat who came to assist.


"It is at this point that all parties have lost sight of the young boy."


Meanwhile, members of Mr Price’s former sub aqua club (SAC) expressed their shock and condolences.


"Louis’s father was a former member of the Newport club and although he has not been a member for a number of years was at the time an enthusiastic and well liked member of the diving club," said a statement.


"All members of the Newport SAC are shocked by this incident and their thoughts are with Louis’s parents, family and friends at this difficult time."


The two days of searching involved helicopters from RNAS Culdrose, RMB Chivenor and RNLI lifeboats from Brixham, Teignmouth, Salcombe.


A relief all-weather Mersey class boat which was travelling to Brixham after a refit in Falmouth was also involved.
#3091
divemaiden - 8/14/2008 6:52 PM
that’s so sad
#1591
Jupitermermaid - 8/15/2008 6:53 PM
How tragic! My condolences to the family.
#120
nemobubbles - 8/17/2008 3:28 PM
sorry for your loss so sad. my hart goes out to you