Fatal diving accident on the Hancza River - one person dead

Listen to this article

On Saturday, 16 July, a fatal diving accident occurred on the Hancza River, in which one person diving on a closed circuit died.

Later that evening, a statement appeared giving an overview of the whole incident.

Today, i.e. 16.07.2022. at around 1 p.m., a diving accident occurred on Lake Hancza, in which our friend Andrzej Zalewski died.

During the dive in a team of two, the divers lost contact with each other. The first diver, as agreed before the dive in this case, completed the dive independently and returned to shore.

After the time for which the dive was planned had elapsed, when Andrew did not return to shore the emergency services were notified.

During the ongoing rescue operation, the fire brigade found the missing diver on the surface. He gave no signs of life. The resuscitation operation carried out was unfortunately unsuccessful.

The diver had all the authorisations to perform the planned dive. The gases on which he performed the dive were adequate for the planned depth. The dive was performed as planned.

The team had already separated during the ascent at a depth of around 40m. Andrew had a supply of gases in his cylinders when he was found, completely sufficient for the entire dive. All valves of both diluent, oxygen and dry suit (the dive was performed on closed circuit) were open. The diver was not entangled. The bailout cylinders were full and bore no signs of use. The diver’s computers were secured by the police.

The case is being investigated by the police. At the moment there is no clear cause for the accident. Our thoughts are with Andrew’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed. We ask you to honour the memory of our friend.