Death of Johnny van der Walt

[ClaireDJ]

I have heard that Johnny van der Walt has died in a diving accident in South Africa. Does anybody know any more about this?
He was a cave diver and also did a lot of deep exporation diving.

He lectured Spike Jackson and myself at university, so we are desperately trying to find out some more information.

Our condolences go out to his wife, Dr Boomke, and his family if this is this case.

[Spike Jackson]

Still not been able to find out anymore about the actual accident. I've had a look at the University of Pretoria's website and various news agencies but come up with zip.

Johmmy was a professor of Physiology at the University of Pretoria and for may years was a deep and cave diver. In 1969 he was part of the team that set what was then the world record for the deepst cave dive at 335 feet in the Chinoyi (then Sinoia) caves in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). I believe that lately he had toned down his diving but up till about five years ago was still a very active technical diver.

[Patricia Bolton]

Hi. Just found this forum when looking for any news on Johnny's death, and thought I'd confirm, and elaborate on the news of Johnny van der Walt's death for ClaireDJ and Spike. Johnny died on 29 June 2004, on a dive at Diepgat Reef, Sodwana, South Africa. All the evidence suggests he had a medical emergency and lost consciousness, during a routine deco stop at 15m. The autopsy did not reveal evidence of a heart attack or stroke. The investigation is not yet complete, but there is no reason to suspect equipment failure, or any diving specific malady. He was breathing trimix on a rebreather, and had 2 stages - 1 O2, 1 air. I was one of 3 people with him on the dive. It was a beautiful dive, and I believe Johnny would have wanted to go in such circumstances...

Rgds
Patricia Bolton

[db8us]

as a breather-diver myself i always wonder about the high rate of natural causes...

[Spike Jackson]

Thanks very much for the info Patricia. I will pass it along to Claire. Condolences to all those involved.

Regards
Simon