Old Man Drowns In Australian Cave Dive; Second Diver Rescued From Trap

Amidst a cave diving journey in Australia, a man tragically drowned. As disclosed by police in South Australia, emergency personnel were dispatched to Tank Cave, just outside the rural locality of Tantanoola along Princes Highway, around 10:30am on Sunday. This followed reports concerning a diver in peril.

On arrival, authorities confirmed the missing diver, identified as a 65-year-old from Victoria, had sadly drowned. Officials have not released his name.

According to the Daily Mail and Sky News, another diver, trapped within rock formations in the cave, was successfully brought to safety.

Law enforcement noted there were no other reported injuries and stated there are "no safety concerns arising from this incident."

A recovery mission led by the Water Operations Unit of South Australia is ongoing to retrieve the deceased man's body, with an inquest report forthcoming for the coroner.

The Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA), which manages the Tank Cave, has indicated its cooperation with the investigation.

"Emergency services teams are currently on the scene, coordinating with the CDAA," the association mentioned on Facebook. "Details are limited at the moment, but updates will be provided as more information is available."

The CDAA further urged, "Please avoid speculating during this challenging time, in respect for those involved and their families, while authorities carry out their tasks."

The cave is a favoured spot for subterranean dives, about 15 miles from Mount Gambier, known for its unique limestone features, stunning landscapes, and crater lakes.

The CDAA categorises Tank Cave as an "advanced cave site," according to its site, indicating it includes "enclosed watery areas with silt, dark zones, and occasional narrow passages unsuitable for side-by-side diving."

Photographs show the entry is via a staircase that descends below ground from a field above.

Divers intending to explore the site need to have completed advanced cave diving courses, which necessitate engaging in a minimum of 25 unsupervised dives in various locations. A CDAA access officer is present during these dives.

"The entry point is subterranean. Descending a short ladder leads you to a surface lake opening into a vast, labyrinthine network spanning over 7 kilometres [approximately 4.3 miles] of navigable passages — making it one of Australia's longest underwater caves," the CDAA highlights on its website.

Tank Cave has witnessed previous tragedies, notably in 2011 when 29-year-old archaeologist Agnes Milowka passed away in February after running out of air while separated during a dive. Later that year, a 40-year-old Melbourne man also perished near the cave's entrance.