Tank Cave diver died in underwater ‘labyrinth’ after failing to suit by way of hole
Gary Gibson, 65, was diving with two other experienced cave divers when he tragically died in the complex Tank Cave system near Tantanoola in South Australia
The body of a 65-year-old cave diver has been recovered following a major operation involving specialist teams. Emergency services were called to Tank Cave, near Tantanoola in South Australia, around 10.30am on Sunday (November 30) following reports of a drowning. Tragically, Gary Gibson, a diver from Victoria, lost his life that same day.
His body was recovered around 3.30pm local time on Monday after efforts by officers from the South Australia Water Operations Unit and specialist divers from the Cave Divers Association of Australia. Mr Gibson had been diving with two other “experienced cave divers”, who were left “understandably traumatised”, according to Superintendent Trent Cox.
Before the body was discovered, Supt Cox informed a press conference on Monday that another dive was either in progress or scheduled for the afternoon. “Fatigue for divers will quickly become an issue for them, so while we hope that we retrieve his body today, it’s not guaranteed,” he added.
Retired anaesthetist and cave diver Dr Harris – known for his role in the rescue of 12 young footballers and their coach from a flooded cave in northern Thailand in 2018 – also lent a hand in the search, ABC Australia reports, reports the Mirror.
Supt Cox stated that the circumstances surrounding Mr Gibson’s death would be investigated. “The cave system … is extremely complex. It’s a labyrinth of tunnels – big, small, of varying degrees of accessibility,” he added.
Mr Gibson’s body was discovered at a location known as P7. The cave, situated approximately 15 miles from Mount Gambier, is one of 32 diving sites in the area.
According to the Cave Divers Association of Australia, Tank Cave’s “extensive maze-like system” encompasses nearly four miles of diveable passage, making it “one of the longest underwater caves in Australia”.
Grant Pearce, director of the Cave Divers Association of Australia, described Mr Gibson as a “very funny” and “very energetic chap”. He stated that Mr Gibson became separated from his group after failing to squeeze through a narrow gap and never arrived at their prearranged rendezvous point.
“He was a very solid diver,” Mr Pearce commented. “He had quite a lot of experience diving here. It was quite a shock to hear that Gary wasn’t coming back. Our thoughts immediately went to Gary’s wife.”
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