Missing diver found, high chance to find 3 others, Johor cops say

 

There is a high chance of finding three more missing foreign divers alive and safe in the waters of Pulau Tokong Sanggol, said Mersing district police chief Supt Cyril Edward Nuing.

He said this is based on the experience of the three missing divers who were also properly equipped with diving gear and supplies for training before they were reported missing.

A survivor found earlier this morning from the group of four, Norwegian woman Kristine Grodem, said the three divers already surfaced, after undertaking a diving course, before drifting apart.

"Therefore, we believe the chance for us to find them alive is very good based on their experience and with diving equipment and supplies on them," Cyril said.

He was speaking to reporters at the search and rescue operation forward base at the Mersing district council public jetty today.

According to him, the three divers have a record of over 50 dives and are undergoing an advanced training course in open waters.

Earlier, 35-year-old Grodem, who was the diving instructor, was found by a tugboat at 8.15am today. She had drifted 30 nautical miles from the initial dive point.

Cyril said according to Grodem, all four divers made the first dive for 45 minutes before emerging at the surface.

“On the second dive, they went up after 20 minutes, but Grodem noticed a strong current and frantically called out to the skipper but she could not be heard, as they had drifted about 500m away,” Cyril added.

Grodem then tried to swim to Pulau Lima to get help but was foiled by strong currents which also separated her from the others.

Norwegian diving instructor Kristine Grodem, 35 (left) being rescued

“The coach was found drifting on the surface of the sea with diving equipment intact from noon yesterday before being rescued,” Cyril added.

However, he was concerned about other factors that could hinder rescue efforts, including current weather conditions as well as hazards of dehydration and hypothermia that could affect the divers.

The missing trio are British national Adrian Peter, 46, his 14-year-old son Nathen Renze who is a Dutch national, and French woman Alexia Alexandra, 18.

A total of 90 personnel from various agencies were involved in the search for the three still lost at sea today, using 18 boats and two helicopters.

- Bernama