Third Great Barrier Reef scuba diving fatality in three months

A 32-year-old Japanese woman has died while scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef – the tourist becoming the third scuba-diving related fatality in as many months.

According to Queensland Police, the women was found unconscious in waters near Saxon Reef off Port Douglas on yesterday morning (5th May).

Despite the efforts of paramedics to revive her, she was pronounced dead just over an hour after they arrived.

The female diver had reportedly been travelling with the Tusa Dive snorkeling and diving company.

On their website, Tusa Dive claims to have “access to 16 unique sites on the outer Great Barrier Reef”, and that “a dedicated crew member will be in the water for any that like a little extra assistance.”

WorkSafe Queensland inspectors are now investigating the incident.

The death follows two other tourist fatalities on the Great Barrier Reef so far this year.

In mid-February, a 68-year-old Chinese tourist died while snorkelling off the coast of Cairns.

Only two days later, a 23-year-old English woman died during an introductory dive off Hayman Island in the Whitsundays.

Image used for illustrative purposes only.

15th May 2014 - IRUKANDJI ‘FORECAST’ TO WARN AUSTRALIAN SWIMMERS ABOUT PRESENCE OF DEADLY STINGERS

23rd January 2012 - PROPOSED NEW DIVE AND SNORKEL LAWS TO ENSURE SAFETY