A scuba diving excursion turned tragic over the weekend when a Chinese tourist lost his life while diving near the renowned Sipadan Island in Semporna, Sabah. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was witnessed by the diver’s wife.
According to a local report in the Malay Mail, the 37-year-old man had entered the water without direct supervision from his diving instructor. Shortly after, he appeared to be in distress before submerging and disappearing from view.
Superintendent Mohd Sobri Zainol, Semporna’s police chief, confirmed that authorities were alerted at 6:45 p.m. after the diver was pronounced dead upon arrival at Tawau Hospital.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was part of a group of eight international divers participating in a guided dive overseen by one instructor and supported by four professional divers. A boat crew member reportedly noticed the diver struggling in the water. One of the professionals subsequently located him unconscious approximately 25 metres below the surface.
Efforts to revive the diver began immediately upon surfacing. He showed brief signs of life, gasping and vomiting during CPR, but eventually lost consciousness again. He was initially taken to Semporna Hospital before being transferred to Tawau Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed his death.
The case has been classified as a sudden death, and a post-mortem examination has been scheduled at Tawau Hospital.
Comments
