Dutch diver dies after emergency ascent at Lake Attersee

A 57-year-old Dutch diver died following a fatal accident at Lake Attersee in Upper Austria on Friday, September 18. The incident occurred at the ‘Ofen’ dive site near Steinbach am Attersee during an attempted technical dive to a depth of approximately 100 meters.

According to the Upper Austria Police, the man was diving with two experienced companions when he encountered problems at a depth of about 80 meters. The diver reportedly panicked and performed an emergency ascent to the surface without making necessary decompression stops. While a dive partner attempted to assist, the man reached the surface approximately 100 meters from the shore.

Two Polish divers witnessed the emergency and rushed to provide aid. Emergency medical services, which were already in the vicinity attending to an unrelated minor diving incident, attempted resuscitation but were unable to save the man. He was declared dead at the scene. The two other members of the diving group surfaced safely but required medical attention. Local reports indicate the victim's dive computer was too damaged to be read on-site.