US: Fairfield woman dies after scuba diving

A Fairfield woman collapsed and died Sunday after scuba diving off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

According to police, Beth A. Moore, 40, of 15 Polly Trail, collapsed around 3 p.m.

She had been diving with friends about 38 miles offshore. She was airlifted to shore and taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Tamara Willard, a deputy coroner in Horry County, which includes Myrtle Beach, spoke to Mooreís friends. She said they reported that Moore was an experienced diver; over a number of years, she had made 75 dives to the area and to various South America and other location sites.

"he area they were diving in, although 38 miles out from shore, was only 110 feet deep," said Willard. "I'm not sure if they were diving on a ship or a plane wreck.

"But Moore and her partners and the dive master all filled their tanks with the same mixture at the same time, all went down together and all came up the anchor rope together. We have no idea why she died."

Moore's husband, Kendall, and her two sons, 7 and 9 years old, were not with her on the trip.

Her father, Gorman Palmer, confirmed the fact that his daughter was an experienced diver. He also said that she was a member of a scuba diving club.

Following an autopsy Monday morning at the Horry County Coronerís office, Moore's body was transported to the Douglas and Fiery Funeral Home in Hagerstown, Md.

"We probably won't know the cause of death for several weeks until all of the toxicology and other test results are back," said Willard.

Source: www.gettysburgtimes.com