On Oct. 11 Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Neah Bay, on the Makah Indian Reservation, to conduct an investigation into the death of a 23 year old Tacoma, WA resident who was free dive spear fishing just outside of Neah Bay’s harbor when he went missing.
During the ensuing investigation, Deputies learned that the victim and two of his friends were snorkeling and free diving in waters west of the Neah Bay Harbor’s jetty in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The divers were spear fishing about 100 yards from shore and using kayaks to dive from.
At about 4:30 p.m. one of the victim’s fellow divers lost sight of him and a search ensued. One of the divers used a radio, from the scene, to call for help from the Neah Bay Coast Guard Station.
The Coast Guard responded and began a search for the victim. The victim was soon found by one of his fellow divers; underwater and entangled in a kelp bed in about 20 to 25 feet of water. The diver was able to cut the unresponsive victim free from the kelp and bring him to the ocean’s surface.
The diver signaled a Coast Guard helicopter and was soon met by a Coast Guard rescue boat. The victim was transported by boat to the Neah Bay Coast
Guard Station.
The victim was later pronounced deceased at the Neah Bay Health Clinic. A coroner’s hold was placed on the body of the victim pending a cause of death determination by the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office.
Free Diving is a form of underwater diving that relies on a diver’s ability to hold their breath until resurfacing; rather than the use of a breathing apparatus such as scuba gear. The name of the victim is being withheld pending confirmation on notification of the victim’s next-of-kin.
