Update: Seacrest diving-accident survivor identified

We have just confirmed information posted earlier tonight in the following comment on our original report about Saturday’s accident near Seacrest, in which a 25-year-old diver turned up missing and was rushed to the hospital (along with the two divers who brought him up and needed to be checked out for effects of rapid ascent):

The missing diver was my brother, his name is Duy Tran. We do not know how long he was under water for before he was found, nor have we been told about what the possible cause of the accident was. He has severe brain damage from the extended period of time he was without oxygen, we were told that it took 30 minutes to get his heart beating again. We just hope that there will be some good news somewhere in the future.

Before republishing this comment here atop the home page in an update, we called Harborview Medical Center to verify whether a patient by that name is there. We just received a call back from the nursing supervisor who confirmed that yes, Duy Tran is there, and listed in serious condition. We also followed up with the sister who left the comment; she added in an e-mail reply, “My brother’s wife called me this afternoon and told me about the post on WSB … my brother did not have ID on him when he was diving, and my family did not find out about what had happened until around 8 pm yesterday … My family has lived in West Seattle for almost 10 years and we have always found it a wonderful place to call home. It is sad that the closeness to Alki that my family loves about West Seattle so much has caused us so much pain.” Seattle Police Harbor Patrol took over the investigation yesterday; there has not been a formal update from SPD since then, but we will be checking tomorrow morning to see if they have determined what went wrong — as we showed you in video added to our original report, SPD divers went down yesterday afternoon to look for clues. MONDAY MIDMORNING UPDATE: No new information re: the police investigation, according to Seattle Police spokesperson Officer Renee Witt. We also checked again with Harborview, where spokesperson Susan Gregg-Hanson tells WSB this morning that Mr. Tran is still listed in serious condition. MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Lila Tran has posted a photo of her brother on her blog, and describes him as “in a coma.”

8 Replies to "Update: Seacrest diving-accident survivor identified"

  • JanS November 2, 2008 (11:01 pm)

    I’m so sorry to hear this. I was hoping that there would be better news. Mr. Tran and his family will definitely be in my prayers.

  • Eric Goetz November 3, 2008 (8:18 am)

    I’d like to second JanS’s comments. My heart goes out to Mr. Tran and his family.

  • Catherine November 4, 2008 (2:09 pm)

    I was alerted to this accident today by another mother from my child’s school. She told me that this man’s son is in my son’s Kindergarten class.

    I am deeply sorry and heartbroken to hear this. It is truly heart wrenching to learn of this.

    I pray for his young family and his extended family. His mother is in my thoughts as I am a mother too. I will pray.

    Sincerely, Catherine

  • lilatran November 4, 2008 (3:57 pm)

    My brother (Duy Tran) has two children, their names are Benson Tran and Irene Tran. When they were at the hospital, they did ask one question “How is daddy going to take us to school now?” After that Irene went to the waiting room and started reading to Benson and Anthony (their cousin who also went to the same school).

  • Manuela Slye November 5, 2008 (3:02 pm)

    Lila, your family is in my thoughts, I met your brother, a very kind man and his two beautiful children. I pray to God to give your family strength. Nad my heart goes out to your mother. May you find comfort on each other’s company

  • Catherine November 6, 2008 (7:17 pm)

    Lila,

    My son is in Benson’s class.

    Some parents (and the teacher) at our WS elementary school were wondering if there was anything we can do for Benson’s family?

    I feel so sorry for Benson, his sister, and the rest of the family.

    Let us know through this blog or through the elementary school Kindergarten teacher what we can do for Benson and his family right now.

    Thanks, Catherine

  • WSB November 6, 2008 (8:27 pm)

    Catherine – I had asked Lila to let us know how the community could help – particularly if a fund or paypal link was set up toward contributions for medical expenses. I had hoped to hear back from her before publishing a new update but I may do that tonight anyway and just let people know that we will update again when those specifics are available — TR (WSB editor)

  • Robert November 6, 2008 (9:01 pm)

    I would like to say that “Lou”..as I know him by, is a very great man, and I’m DEEPLY saddened by this. I am a General Contractor and Lou is our hardwood floor installer, and is a very honorable man who I have gotten to know well over the past couple years. It hit me hard on Monday when Lou didn’t show up for the job…I knew something happened because he has never missed a deadline, and then I spoke with his Brother and it broke my heart to hear this. Lou’s positive attitude, and great sense of humor is what has made him a pleasure to work with. I just want Lou’s family to know that I am very sorry for them, and if there is anything I can do, they know how to get a hold of me.

    Take care,

    Robert (Ideal Building)

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