Snorkeler dies

By Brent Fuller, brent@cfp.ky

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A 55–year–old woman died Thursday after getting into some difficulty while snorkeling at Barkers Quay, off Barkers in the North Sound.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said the victim was a cruise ship passenger on the Carnival Valour. She’s identified as Louise Gales, an American citizen.

Police said the 911 Emergency Communications Centre got a call at 2.12pm about someone being “in difficulty” while snorkeling. Ms Gales was transported to Morgan’s Harbour where medics took her to George Town Hospital. She was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon.

The Compass has learned the victim was on a snorkeling trip with Frank’s Watersports. Company owner Frank Ebanks said he was not on the trip, but confirmed the boat was anchored inside the reef in North Sound when the accident occurred.

“Somebody swum away from the boat and got a little too far, and they got tired before they got back to the boat,” said Mr. Ebanks.

Mr. Ebanks’ wife said she had contacted an attorney but declined to elaborate.

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism officials said they were aware of the incident, but weren’t going to make any enquiries until RCIPS finished its investigation.

“It’s with the police at the moment,” said DoT public relations officer Jo Gammage.