Update: Harbor Ave reopened after diver’s medical emergency

(photo added 3:14 pm)
Avoid the area – big police/fire response to a medic call, we’re on the scene and gathering info – traffic is blocked – this is near the Fairmount intersection. At least one person is being worked on by medics. 3:05 PM UPDATE: Police tell WSB that the person is a diver but they weren’t sure whether this was a diving accident or a medical problem such as a heart attack. 3:21 PM UPDATE: Traffic still blocked at Harbor/Fairmount – we’ll advise when it reopens.

3:53 PM UPDATE: Clear to traffic again. The diver was rushed to Harborview Medical Center but we don’t have condition information so far.

snowlion March 6, 2009 (5:42 pm)

Whoa, that’s crazy. I went past them twice on my daily walk today, but left the area around 1.45pm. I went down to the SafeCo Field area, and then saw a sign saying that the Spokane bridge was closed to traffic on my way back (this was in a course of about 20 minutes or so). I hope he or she is ok; I thought it was just a police diving unit running drills or something….

Creighton March 6, 2009 (6:22 pm)

It appears to me, just from the reports I’ve seen on the WSB about divers at Akli in the last year or more, that diving is very risky. Understandably, it looks like fun, but with the frequency of these reports I have to put it waaay up at the top of risky activities. Regardless, I hope the diver is ok. If anyone can help with a level 1 trauma like this they can.

Dive4God March 7, 2009 (8:26 am)

Unfortunately, the diver did not survive. He suffered a heart attack when he surfaced. This was not a dive related accident, it was a preexisting medical condition that he did not know about. Driving a car is more risky than diving! This man was a member of my dive club and my prayers are with his family..

WSB March 7, 2009 (8:33 am)

Thank you very much for reporting that. In these cases, it’s often impossible to get that information because of privacy laws, at least until the medical examiner releases the regular weekday reports .. our condolences to his family, as well. – TR

B March 7, 2009 (1:32 pm)

I am deeply saddened. I was on a bench when I saw a man carrying the diver. He yelled for help and I called 911. I gave the dispatchers the address of the house across the street. The man helped his friend to the rocks. I asked if he wanted help pulling him up but he said it would be too difficult. The man was counscious and his friend was keeping him awake. When I saw the fire engine go the other direction I called 911 back. At that point, the man lost consciousness and his friend yelled to keep him awake. I called 911 a third time to let them know he lost consciouness. I believe it was the same man and another person who started to perform CPR. The medics arrived and we pulled him out of the water. They continued to perform CPR and connected him to the defibulator.

I prayed for him during the event and I will now pray for his friends and family.

WSB March 7, 2009 (1:56 pm)

With this information and also a long tribute thread we found on a local dive forum, we have just posted a separate update:
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=14768

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