22-05-2025
New College Grad Dies on Diving Trip with Other Students and Teachers in 'Shocking' Tragedy, Officials Say
A recent college graduate, Serena Bennett, died during a driving trip off the coast of Ecuador, Northwest Nazarene University said
Everyone who was scuba diving had been certified, according to the school
The 21-year-old was a longtime volunteer at an animal rescue, which described her as "utterly fearless" as she helped save vulnerable animals
A 21-year-old new college grduate was killed during a diving trip off the coast of Ecuador, her university said.
Serena Bennett, who received her degree from Northwest Nazarene University earlier this month, was one of 11 students, grads and three faculty members participating in a study abroad trip in South America when she died while diving with others on Sunday, May 18, the school said in a statement.
'The incident occurred on a dive trip off the coast of Ecuador with multiple students and faculty members taking part in the dive,' said the school, a private Christian university in Nampa, Idaho.
Officials confirmed Bennett's death "with deep sadness" and called the incident a 'heartbreaking event."
The trip attendees had been certified to scuba dive before leaving for Ecuador, the school said.
'As the situation unfolded, faculty, dive team members and medical professionals responded,' the school said.
A university representative did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further comment on how Bennett died.
She had recently earned her degree, cum laude, after majoring in wildlife biology and ecology with a minor in photography, according to the school.
She was also a lover of animals: In a Facebook tribute, Lake Lowell Animal Rescue in Nampa said that Bennett was a longtime volunteer who was adored by everyone.
'While many college students spend their extra days and moments partying, hanging out with their friends, or getting into mischief, Serena spent what literally seems like every single extra moment giving all her time and energy to LLAR and the animals that we rescue here,' the rescue said in its statement.
'We are absolutely gutted over this shocking news,' the rescue said.
The organization is temporarily closed while employees and fellow volunteers take time to grieve.
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The organization called Bennett 'utterly fearless,' recalling how she had crawled under houses to save kittens, helped transport foster animals and even fostered a range of animals herself.
'Serena, to say you will be missed doesn't even come close to covering it,' the rescue added. 'You made a real difference in so many lives—both human and animal.'
Both the university and rescue asked that the community offer support to Bennett's grieving family.
'She lived a life that mattered,' the rescue said, 'and she selflessly gave of her time, love, and compassion.'
Read the original article on People
