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Hello,
   I am very sorry to report that there has been a fatality at Jackson Blue.
Heather Hunsucker, Pat Watson and myself recovered Mike Wikson (sp) at
approx 7:45 pm.  He was located approx 3000' in on a tee to the left and
50-75 feet from the main line.
   He was diving with two others divers.  Exact details of the accident are
not known, but what we believe happened follows.  The three divers dropped
their Makos at 30-35 mins in.  They swam from that point and turned the dive
at another tee.  The cave in the area they were in is quite small and not
well traveled.  They totally lost visibility on the exit and OKed the line.
Somewhere between this point and gaining clear water, Mike must have come
off the line.  His two buddies did everything they were supposed to do and
did all that was in their power.  They re-entered the area and searched for
Mike then they waited until they could wait no more.  They left only when
their air became critical.
   Mike was found w/ mask on and reg in.  His tanks were empty.  There was a
fair amount of line bunched up in his hands.  It is possible that the line
he was on had come undone and he was trying to collect it for some reason.
He was on top of the line that ran off of the main line.  His light was
functional but turned off.  Reason is unknown.
   He was a NAUI Instructor and certified Full Cave by CDS and NACD.  He was
a farily experinced diver.  Cave diving was not new to him.
   Let us remember that we have lost a friend, one of our own, and that
others have lost a family member and loved one.
    Sincerely,
     Scott Hunsucker

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