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Deep sea diver tragically drowned
23.08.10
A DEEP sea diver
tragically drowned while filming the wreckage of a
German U-boat off the coast of Inishowen, an inquest
has heard.
It was initially believed that 45-year old Michael
Hanrahan, a taxi driver from Glendoher Park,
Rathfarnham, Dublin, suffered a heart attack or
seizure during the expedition thirteen miles from
Malin Head, nearly three years ago.
However, Friday's inquest heard that the diver of 30
years’ experience, got into difficulties with his
breathing at a depth of around 63-metres and died at
the scene.
The father of four, was part of a highly experienced
four-man dive team exploring the U-778 submarine on
October 2, 2007, to see if it could be salvaged from
the seabed to go on display in Derry city. Their
breathing tanks contained a tri-mix a of nitrogen,
oxygen and helium, the inquest in Carndonagh was
told.
In his deposition, expedition leader, Geoff Millar
from Derry, described how the team reached the
submarine shortly after 3pm. Around half an hour
later, he noticed Mr Hanrahan tugging heavily on the
50lb shot line that appeared to have got snagged in
the wreck. |
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He was continually
looking at the safety readings on his handset and
was also seen taking his mouthpiece out, blowing
bubbles and putting it back in. Mr Millar then saw
the victim falling down past him and landing on the
submarine on his back.
The seven-person jury heard how Mr Millar and the
diver in charge of safety that day, Paul Lewis, made
frantic efforts to revive their friend using their
spare breathing apparatus. They stayed as long their
air tanks would allow them before reluctantly
acknowledging there was nothing they could do. Mr
Millar secured the victim's body to the submarine so
that it could be |
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The late Michael Hanrahan who
tragically drowned off the coast of Inishowen, Co
Donegal. |
recovered the following
day and left the scene for two-hours of
decompression. "It was the longest two hours of my
life," he said. He said it was his belief that his
friend had "overworked himself moving the shot line,
got a CO2 hit and passed out".
The following day a fresh team of divers including
two friends from Dublin, Vincent Donegan and Gavin
Purchase, travelled to the site to help in the
recovery mission.
Mr Hanrahan's diving equipment was analysed in a
specialist laboratory in England and a post mortem
was undertaken in Letterkenny, the inquest was told.
Donegal coroner, Dr John Madden said the medical
evidence showed that the deceased did not die of
natural causes.
"It wasn't a heart attack, it wasn't a seizure," he
said. He said he believed the death was caused by a
"carbon dioxide event" possibly resulting from Mr
Hanrahan over-exerting himself while moving the
heavy shot weight and hyperventilating. A verdict of
death by drowning was returned. Mr Hanrahan's wife
Myra and his parents were present at the inquest.
Declan O'Byrne, Myra's brother, thanked the divers,
emergency services, gardai and inquest team on
behalf of the family. |
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