American Tourist Dies While Snorkeling

October 25, 2011

A 67-year-old female tourist died this morning [Oct.25], having been discovered in an unresponsive state while snorkeling in waters off the west end. There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances but an autopsy is anticipated.

A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service can confirm the sudden death of a 67 year old American visitor to the Island. Around 11:30am on Tuesday October 25, police received a report of a medical emergency.

“It appears that the 67 year old woman was snorkeling in waters off the western end of the Island when she was discovered in an unresponsive state.”

“CPR was performed and the victim was transported to KEMH via ambulance where she was pronounced dead by an on-call physician at 12:30pm.”

“There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances but an autopsy is anticipated. No further information will be released until the next of kin have been notified.”

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Comments (13)

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  1. Terry says:

    At least she had a good view of the present and past.

    Best to her family as they moarn her passing.

  2. for real says:

    another one there will be a age limit soon.

  3. JesusLovesMeBetter says:

    Why does this keep happening??? 67 is not that old. There has to be a reason for this. We need to be proactive about this and do some kind of investigation. I’m not saying it’s so, but has anyone looked into the possibility of faulty equipment? Has there ever been any evidence produced that says one is at risk of dying while snorkeling and that information passed onto the public before they engage in this activity? I’d want to know beforehand that I was in danger of dying while doing this-people should be warned (if it isn’t already being done). This is some scary stuff.

    • bermyshotta says:

      Thanks for de great laugh today!! Ya at risk from dyin from anything. Faulty snorkel n mask LMFAO! De scariest part about it is u bein so scared bout it!

    • Weldon Wade says:

      Faulty equipment such as?

  4. Terry says:

    Jesus……..She was snorkeling.

    I give up.

  5. Weldon Wade says:

    My condolences to her family and friends.

  6. Apocalypto says:

    I get what JLMB is trying to say….. This is the third death from snorkeling in 2 years that I am aware of. It does seem a little alarming. I live in the west end and this morning would not have been the best morning to go swimming/snorkelIng period.
    Condolancies to her family.

    • Just wondering says:

      Not sure how long you have lived here or have been a mariner but how many times has south shore been rough as ever, and you go check out north shore and its calm?.. you can be in West End but be on North Shore or South Shore.. Fair enough if they said snorkelling off the west end of the island on south shore and then you could say bie was it rough out there, N I’m a mariner so I know rough!

  7. WellSaid says:

    An observation – not that it helps the victim now unfortunately.

    You have to figure that many visitors who go snorkeling, helmet diving, resort diving and swimming on our beaches are people who may have been inactive for years and suddenly doing what in comparison is strenuous exercise.

    If there was a heart attack already waiting to happen, this is the perfect time for it to appear.

    So although it seems that people are dying more of seemingly benign activities, factors such as anxiousness, heavy swells, unfamiliarity with the activity, and just plain exertion are likely contributing factors in these cases. Snorkeling is not always just a passive activity – if there are swells, currents or plain panicky people, the potential is still there.

    Not defending the operator but it’s not up to them to do more than gauge the general fitness of the customer (i.e. 2 arms, 2 legs, eyes, ears and a brain) – that’s why you have to sign a release form stating your fitness and warning you of the potential dangers.

    Condolences to the family though – I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose someone on vacation in paradise.

  8. Just wondering says:

    Last time I checked snorkelling involved swimming which is considered and activity, so pretty sure when you sign up for snorkelling your not expecting to just sit there and do nothing….. enforce an age limit, GREAT IDEA!!!! How should we decide that one? Should we ban 60 + year olds? we had a 65 year old gentleman break the time record in his age category in a running race in Bermuda not too long ago… or should we should start the age limit 40+ as people get heart attacks and strokes and that age as well… You can die from crossing the street, from choking on your food .. better yet look up all the crazy ways people have died http://www.spike.com/shows/1000-ways-to-die … avoid them all! and have fun living your life doing it…My heart goes out the family who came to Bermuda on vacation to have a good time and had this very unfortunate tragedy happen to them, as well as to all the people on the boat who watched helplessly as this all unfolded. Remember they did not die FROM snorkelling they died of natural causes WHILE snorkelling…