Deep diver finds skeleton of previous record attempt failure

[WIdiver_Paul]

Record-breaker diver finds skeleton
From correspondents in Johannesburg
October 30, 2004

AN Australian deep-water diver attempting a world-record dive in South Africa found the skeletal remains of a fellow diver who disappeared down the same sinkhole 10 years ago, South African radio said today.

David Shaw found the remains of Deon Dreyer, who died at Boesmansgat in the arid Northern Cape province in 1994, at a depth of 271 metres, SABC radio said.

The Australian said he wanted to go deeper, but decided to stop after making the grisly discovery.

Mr Shaw did however break the previous record of 242 metres for diving with special equipment, rather than normal scuba gear.

He took nine-and-half hours to resurface, spending most of the time decompressing.

Boesmansgat is described by several websites as an ancient watering hole for Bushmen roaming the Kalahari Desert.

They include warnings it should only be "dived by experienced divers with some caving and sinkhole experience".

Agence France-Presse

[Omicron]

I had read about this earlier today...that would be a creepy sight...