Post by LSDeep on Feb 2, 2005 11:49:06 GMT -5
CARMEL, California (1 Feb 2005) -- A scuba diver's report that his buddy was missing Monday afternoon off Monastery State Beach prompted a two-hour search that left authorities puzzled and without evidence a second diver ever existed.
The air-and-water search ended about 4:40 p.m. as rescue divers loaded their equipment and a Coast Guard helicopter quit circling the beach just south of Carmel.
"It's just not confirmed there was another person in the water," state parks spokesman Dave Schaechtele said. "You have to look, but we did all we could."
A diver identified as 50-year-old Daniel Murphy of Redwood City prompted the rescue effort when he clambered from the surf about 2:30 p.m. and reported his diving partner was missing.
"He said he came to the surface and didn't see his companion," said Battalion Chief Steve Robertson of the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Murphy sat on a rock shivering in his wet suit while sheriff's deputies and state park officials questioned him. Later he changed into a denim shirt, white slacks and black loafers while the search continued.
The gray-haired man walked away from a reporter, saying only he was feeling "pretty shaky." He had a bloody scrape on the side of his forehead, apparently from being roughed up in the surf.
Robertson said one witness reported seeing Murphy get into his diving gear and go into the water alone, but Murphy contended his diving partner already was in the water.
Murphy said he and his diving partner rented their equipment from a dive shop in San Carlos, but deputies said the shop had no record of renting to the second man.
Authorities also couldn't find a white pickup that Murphy said his partner drove to the popular but potentially dangerous diving spot.
After calling off the search, Robertson said Murphy was free to go.
"He refused further medical help," the fire official said.
During the search, a half-dozen rescue vehicles parked along the beach while state park and Coast Guard personnel scoured the waters.
"We want to believe it, otherwise you don't expend those kind of resources," Schaechtele said.
State parks officials could pursue action if they determine Murphy made a false report.
"We're not really sure what determination will be made," Schaechtele said.
State parks and fire personnel responded along with the Coast Guard, Pacific Grove Ocean Rescue team, sheriff's deputies and Carmel Highlands firefighters, Robertson said.
SOURCE - Monterey Herald
The air-and-water search ended about 4:40 p.m. as rescue divers loaded their equipment and a Coast Guard helicopter quit circling the beach just south of Carmel.
"It's just not confirmed there was another person in the water," state parks spokesman Dave Schaechtele said. "You have to look, but we did all we could."
A diver identified as 50-year-old Daniel Murphy of Redwood City prompted the rescue effort when he clambered from the surf about 2:30 p.m. and reported his diving partner was missing.
"He said he came to the surface and didn't see his companion," said Battalion Chief Steve Robertson of the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Murphy sat on a rock shivering in his wet suit while sheriff's deputies and state park officials questioned him. Later he changed into a denim shirt, white slacks and black loafers while the search continued.
The gray-haired man walked away from a reporter, saying only he was feeling "pretty shaky." He had a bloody scrape on the side of his forehead, apparently from being roughed up in the surf.
Robertson said one witness reported seeing Murphy get into his diving gear and go into the water alone, but Murphy contended his diving partner already was in the water.
Murphy said he and his diving partner rented their equipment from a dive shop in San Carlos, but deputies said the shop had no record of renting to the second man.
Authorities also couldn't find a white pickup that Murphy said his partner drove to the popular but potentially dangerous diving spot.
After calling off the search, Robertson said Murphy was free to go.
"He refused further medical help," the fire official said.
During the search, a half-dozen rescue vehicles parked along the beach while state park and Coast Guard personnel scoured the waters.
"We want to believe it, otherwise you don't expend those kind of resources," Schaechtele said.
State parks officials could pursue action if they determine Murphy made a false report.
"We're not really sure what determination will be made," Schaechtele said.
State parks and fire personnel responded along with the Coast Guard, Pacific Grove Ocean Rescue team, sheriff's deputies and Carmel Highlands firefighters, Robertson said.
SOURCE - Monterey Herald