Teens discover floating body, confirming that two divers died exploring submerged Florida tunnel.
The bodies of two divers were discovered in a submerged Florida cave after teenagers reported seeing a man floating face down in the water, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office photo The deaths of two scuba divers were discovered in a submerged cave in Florida after a group of teenagers reported seeing a man floating face down in the water, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators identified the divers as Todd Richard McKenna, 52, and Stephen Roderick Gambrell, 63. “Neither of the divers had any obvious signs of trauma and both appeared to have the appropriate diving equipment,” according to the sheriff’s office.
“It is unknown at this time if all the equipment was working properly. Both victims were turned over to the Medical Examiner.”
A vehicle linked to the divers was found near the cave, which was identified as Buford Springs Cave in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Park. The site is about 55 miles north of Tampa, in the Weeki Wachee area.
Investigators say a 911 call was made at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, by one of three teens, ages 15 and 17, who watched the divers enter the cave pool at 11 a.m.
The divers resurfaced, then returned to the cave, despite one complaining he might have a leak in his air tank, the teens told authorities.
Several members of the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery (IUCRR) responded to the scene to attempt a recovery mission for the second diver. These highly specialized cave divers entered the water and began the search for the second diver. Hernando County Sheriff’s Office photo
“A short while later, the juveniles observed one of the divers come to the surface. The diver was floating face down, which the juveniles believed he was doing purposely, to look for the other diver who had yet to resurface,” officials said.
“Before long, the juveniles noticed there were no bubbles coming to the surface, like there had been earlier. The juveniles swam over to check on him and received no response. The three juveniles were able to get the diver over to the dock, but were unable to lift him out of the water.”
He was later confirmed dead by two deputies who arrived in response to the 911 call. The deputies then waited for the second diver.
“As time passed and the second diver did not surface, it was surmised that he most likely experienced some type of problem in the cave,” officials said.
“Several members of the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery (IUCRR) responded to the scene to attempt a recovery mission for the second diver. … The IUCRR divers located the second diver approximately 137 feet below the surface. Obviously deceased, the diver was recovered and brought to the surface.”
An investigation into the deaths is ongoing, officials said.
The men died in a spring-fed cave pool that is 150 feet deep and considered one of “the most beautiful scuba sites in Florida,” according to The Florida Guidebook.
However, it is only advised for experienced divers due to its small swimming area, which is “difficult to reach (and) possibly dangerous,” according to the guidebook.
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