Body found 300ft underwater in UK quarry as death ‘suspected to be unnatural'
A DIVER was found dead almost 300ft underwater after travelling more than 250 miles for an adventure, an inquest heard today.
Tim James Waples, 60, was tragically discovered at Dorothea Quarry, a popular diving spot in Gwynedd, Wales.
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A senior coroner today opened an inquest in Caernarfon into the death of the IT engineer from Hertfordshire.
Coroner Kate Robertson said North Wales Police had received a call at 1.37pm on May 31 reporting that a diver had died at the quarry.
She added: "It seems that Tim Waples had been diving using equipment when he was found deceased at approximately 85 metres depth within the water.
"He was confirmed as having passed away a short time later". A paramedic confirmed he had died at 3.32pm.
Ms Robertson said she ordered a post mortem examination and the results are awaited.
She continued: "I have reason to suspect that the death is unnatural."
She opened and adjourned the inquest so further investigations can take place.
Quarrying ended in 1970 at the Dorothea Quarry which since flooded and later became popular with scuba divers from across Britain.
But the activity was banned when between 1994 and 2004, 21 divers lost their lives in the quarry.
Experts say the unregulated nature and depth of the site has encouraged some divers to overestimate their capabilities.
During the ten years between 1994 and 2004, 21 divers died in the quarry.
At the time of the tragedy, a North Wales Police spokesperson said: "Police attended the Dorothea Quarry area of Caernarfon following a report of an incident involving a diver.
"Emergency services attended the location which sadly resulted in the body of a 60-year-old man being recovered.
"The man's family have been informed.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious, and the coroner is aware."
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