Woman drowns on diving holiday

AN Irish tourist has drowned in a scuba accident in Australia while taking part in a diving course.

Elaine Morrow, from Ballintra, Co Donegal, was diving with a group at Langford Island in the Whitsunday Islands off north Queensland when she failed to resurface at around 4pm local time on Monday, local police said.

The 23-year-old was on the second day of a three-day dive and was with about 12 other tourists. She was found a short time later on the ocean floor in 11 metres of water. A number of people tried CPR but failed to revive her.

She was then taken to Haman Island Medical Centre where a nurse administered CPR but this also failed to save her.

Department of Foreign Affairs officials have made contact with the dead woman’s family in Donegal.

It is understood she had been visiting the Whitsunday Islands as a tourist and had been part of a group who had chartered a boat.

The islands are hugely popular as a tourist destination and attract thousands of diving enthusiasts every year.

Sergeant Graeme Pettigrew of Whitsunday’s Water Police said initial investigations suggested the woman had become separated from the group while diving and then failed to resurface with the other divers.

‘‘The person involved was on a resort, introductory, dive. She was not an experienced diver. She became lost from the group.’’

Another police spokesman said: “She failed to resurface and was then found on the ocean floor a short time later.”

He said her family had been notified through the gardaí.

Ms Morrow was the eldest of three girls. Her parents are from Dromore, Ballintra. A spokesman for the family declined to comment.

The charter boat was docked at the Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach, where scenes of crime investigators have examined the vessel.

The boat’s operator, Whitsundays Sailing Adventures, said its practices were to the highest safety standards. “All of our tours are operated to the highest safety standards. The operator involved carried out all emergency procedures including CPR, but unfortunately the young lady could not be revived,” the company said in a statement.

“Whitsundays Sailing Adventures and the vessel operator are currently working with the appropriate authorities in regards to this incident. Our condolences go out to the family and friends, and counselling support is being given to the other guests and crew of the vessel.”