Updated 22 September 2026: This article has been updated following confirmation of the diver’s identity and the emergence of further details about his final dive.
British cave diver Andrew Rice, whose body was found at a depth of 88 metres inside the Saint-Sauveur cave system in southwestern France, has been identified as an experienced diver from Stroud, Gloucestershire.
The 43-year-old disappeared after entering the Gouffre de Saint-Sauveur at Calès on Friday, 18 September, prompting an extensive two-day search involving specialist cave divers, firefighters, gendarmes and French cave rescue personnel.
Rice’s body was located on Sunday, 20 September, deep inside the submerged cave system.
Further details have now emerged showing that the dive appears to have represented a significant personal milestone for Rice. In social media posts made before entering Saint-Sauveur, he indicated that he was preparing to complete his 1,000th dive.
Final Post Before Dive #1000
Rice had been documenting his diving trip to France on social media in the days before his disappearance.
According to The Independent, Rice wrote on 9 September that he hoped to complete his 1,000th dive during the trip and had “something a little special” planned.
His final Facebook update was posted on the morning of 18 September.
After describing a final equipment shakedown dive and saying that he felt confident with the configuration, Rice indicated that he was ready for what he called the “Big one”, Dive #1000.
Later that afternoon, at approximately 3:30pm, he entered the Saint-Sauveur resurgence.
He did not return as expected.
Major Search Operation Launched
Rice was part of a group of experienced British cave divers visiting the Lot region of France.
When he failed to emerge from the cave by the expected time, his companions raised the alarm at approximately 8pm.
French authorities activated the ORSEC emergency response arrangements, bringing together firefighters, law enforcement officers and specialist cave rescue personnel.
La Dépêche du Midi reported that reinforcements and several hundred kilograms of specialist equipment were brought into the area as rescuers attempted to reach sections of the submerged system.
One focus of the operation was an air chamber at depth where rescuers initially hoped Rice might have been able to take refuge.
Specialist divers reached and searched the chamber but found no sign of him.
Body Located at 88 Metres
The search continued on Sunday, when Rice’s body was eventually located at a depth of approximately 88 metres.
Lot public prosecutor Clara Ribeiro confirmed his death and said the configuration of the cave made recovery particularly difficult.
French reports said Rice was entangled in the guideline inside the cave. Narrow passages and clay disturbed during the operation had also reduced underwater visibility.
The presence of the guideline should not, however, be interpreted as establishing the cause of the accident.
The Cahors prosecutor confirmed that an investigation into the cause of Rice’s death has been opened. At the time of writing, authorities have not announced a cause of death.
Tributes to an Experienced Diver
Friends and members of the diving community have since paid tribute to Rice following confirmation of his identity.
Messages shared online have described the shock of his death and remembered a diver who was clearly deeply involved in the sport.
His final posts add particular poignancy to the accident. What was intended to mark his 1,000th dive instead became the focus of a major international cave rescue operation.
Saint-Sauveur and Cave Diving in the Lot
The Gouffre de Saint-Sauveur is a resurgence of the River Ouysse and one of the best-known cave diving locations in France’s Lot region.
The submerged cave reaches considerable depths and presents an environment requiring specialist cave diving training, equipment and planning.
The wider Lot area attracts experienced cave divers from France, the UK and elsewhere in Europe because of its extensive network of submerged caves and resurgences.
Rice himself was described by French authorities as a very experienced cave diver.
The investigation into his death remains ongoing.
The Scuba News will continue to update this article if French authorities release substantive new information about the accident or the investigation.
