A CO Donegal woman who drowned in a diving incident in Australia has been named locally as Elaine Morrow (23), from Ballintra.
The Mayor of Ballyshannon, Brendan Travers, said news of the tragedy had stunned southwest Donegal. It is believed Ms Morrow had been in Australia for almost a year on a tourist visa, and had been taking part in an introductory diving course at the time.
Australian police say Ms Morrow was diving with a group at Langford Island in the Whitsundays Islands off North Queensland when she failed to resurface at about 4pm local time on Monday. She was on the second day of a three-day dive on board the boat Summertime,and was with about a dozen other tourists.
She was found a short time later on the ocean floor in 11 metres of water, and when she reached the surface a number of people tried cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but failed to revive her. She was rushed to Hayman Island Medical Centre where a nurse also administered CPR, but this also failed.
Sgt Graeme Pettigrew of Whitsundays Water Police said initial inquiries suggested the woman had become separated from the group while diving. ‘‘The person involved was on a resort – introductory – dive. She was not an experienced diver. She became lost from the group,’’ he said.
The boat’s operator, Whitsundays Sailing Adventures, said its practices were to the highest safety standards. “Whitsundays Sailing Adventures and the vessel operator are currently working with the appropriate authorities in regards to this incident. Our condolences go out to the family and friends, and counselling support is being given to the other guests and crew of the vessel.”