Source: Gainesville Sun, May 31, 2000
Diver found dead in cave
An Old Town man was found dead Tuesday morning in an underwater cave in
Suwannee County, the apparent victim of a cave-diving accident.
Stephen John Turner Jr., 42, was diving alone in the Little River Springs
in southern Suwannee County about 11 a.m. Monday, Suwannee County
Sheriff's Maj. Les Hall said.
A group of divers found Turner at the bottom of the cave at 10:30
a.m. Tuesday, Hall said. His air tank was empty, but he still had on his
regulator and mask.
Investigators said Turner didn't have the proper equipment. He was found
without a safety rope (ed. guideline/reel), which cave-diving instructors
often stress is a necessary tool.
Turner's wife, Deborah, told investigators that he often dived alone,
although she encouraged him not to.
Nobody reported Turner missing because he was visiting a friend, who
thought Turner had returned home, Hall said.
Foul play is not suspected, Hall said. An autopsy is being conducted in
Jacksonville. -- Kathy Ciotola
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