Diver drowns in Orkney during dream holiday trip

David Pleace, a 57-year-old man from Derbyshire, tragically drowned during a scuba diving trip in Scapa Flow, Orkney, on June 28, 2021. He was part of a group diving expedition and was found approximately 20 meters from the SMS Brummer shipwreck. An inquest revealed that his death was accidental and could have been prevented with proper equipment checks. A crucial part of his diving apparatus, the wing inflator hose, had become detached before he entered the water, leading to his inability to control buoyancy. Despite having completed several scuba diving courses, the inquest highlighted that personal safety checks were not conducted adequately due to the group's high level of experience. The assistant coroner, Sophie Lomas, emphasized that had these checks been performed, the disconnection of the hose could have been identified and rectified before diving. This oversight resulted in Pleace descending rapidly and ultimately drowning. His body was discovered the following day, face down near the wreck site, and he was pronounced dead upon reaching the shore. The coroner expressed condolences to Pleace's family and the diving community, noting the significant impact of his death on those who knew him. The coroner concluded that the incident was not due to a lack of training or knowledge but rather an attitudinal issue regarding safety checks among divers. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough equipment checks, regardless of experience level.