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Search continues for missing diver at Vortex Springs
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CopyHolmes County SheriffsOffice (HCSO) rescue workers and diving experts re-'main unsuccessful in retrieving a Tennessee diver last seen at Vortex Springs near Ponce de Leon. Ben McDaniel, 30, of Collierville, Tenn., has been missing since Aug. 18. A search is also being made of the area around the springs. McDaniel is believed to have made a solo dive into a 1,600 foot-long underwater cave, the depth of which reaches 165 feet be-low the surface. Passages in the cave reportedly narrow to barely enough room to accommodate a single diver, and some experts have theorized that McDaniel may have removed air tanks and pushed them ahead of him through narrow openings in order to gain access. Diving at such a deep level may have resulted in problems with the mix of oxygen and nitrogen in the air tanks. Poor visibility may have led to his disorientation, and has hampered attempts to locate him. Experts have also commented that diving alone in the cave was not a good idea.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call HCSO at 547-4421.
Copyright 2010 The DeFuniak Springs Herald, DeFuniak Springs, Florida. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2011 The DeFuniak Springs Herald DeFuniak Springs, Florida. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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