I heard today that there was a diving accident at Bopec (presumably the windjammer) with one fatality. Can anyone on Bonaire confirm?

A man had a heart attack and died. It did happen at Bopec. He was 62 and an American who lived here part time...

Gregg, last night's posting under this link: Where did you get Burglerized...

Thanks for the info Michael.

Yes there has been an accident, but I don't know any details, I heard the ambulance pass by, and I heard some rumours.
I heard it was a young dutch guy, a trainee, having just finished his dive-approval, so not-experienced, who did the dive to the Windjammer, (60 meters deep!). As far as I heard the dive to the Windjammer is not allowed anymore at all. He died on the site. I didn't hear anything about, if, a dive-buddy was with him.
We are looking for more information, probably in the Bonaire-reporter from tomorrow.

Harrie

In the same time there came more information in.
Unless there have been two different fatalities, I think my information must have been wrong.
Sorry.

Harrie

Thanks, Michael! Sorry to hear such bad news.

Michael, thank you for the information. Very sad. Our thoughts are with the family and friends.

Lester Diamond was with 5 other divers when at approx 60 meters ran into some trouble. His buddy tried to give him air, however he was unresponsive...
He was a very experienced diver, who loved to photograph the underwater world, most recently using black and white film. He also enjoyed diving by himself (at the Cliff), however on this dive he joined several other owners from Hamlet Bonaire. We are thankfull for that, as this could have occured in shallow waters when no one would have been around. I applaud all those who helped that day, and we know that they will be troubled with the fact that they could not save Lester's life. His family and friends are also thankfull for the abundance of support that his wife Rosa, daughter Amy and son Jason have recieved. He also leaves 3 grandchildren. Lester was a warm giving person who loved life, his family and friends. He was were he loved the most... Bonaire. and he passed away doing what he loved the most. Being in the water.. camera in hand.

I understand that a memorial service was held yesterday at the dive site and another one will be held on Thursday before he leaves to go home.

We will miss him... Bonaire will not be the same without Lester Diamond.

Jan & Bobby

Thanks Jan for the information, our prayers will be with Lester's family and friends.

By this means I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the BT fans, friends and family of Lester. I shall have his family in my prayers that God may comfort them and make them understand that their loved one, Lester, has just gone ahead of them, but his memories will always be with them. Just have faith and keep on going forward, because all which God brings us to He will see us through it.
Blessings

Very sorry to hear this - our thoughts are with Lester's family and friends.

Jan, thank you for that tribute to Lester. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Tom and I met Lester at the kickoff for Wowo di bario. we laos discussed a variety of other tiems aboutt he island with him. He was a great man with a wonderful heart. We will both miss him