SeaBreeze
07-26-2002, 07:50 AM
Indianapolis Firefighter Dies During Diving Exercise
Body Found Two Hours After Man Disappeared Under Water
Courtesy TheIndyChannel.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The body of an Indianapolis Fire Department diver who was training in a 10-acre pond on the city's northwest side was pulled from the water Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Paul Jolliff, 37, a seven-year member of the department, was part of a classs of beginning divers enrolled in a six-week training course.
Authorities said Jolliff's diving "buddy" lost track of him under water. Rescuers were called to the pond, near the intersection of West 79th Street and Marsh Road, around 12:45 p.m., authorities said.
Jolliff's body was found about two hours later. Rescuers couldn't revive him, and he was pronounced dead later at Methodist Hospital.
An official said the firefighter was among 22 students in diving school at the pond, which is 70 feet deep in places. They had been taking lessons since April.
Friday was the last day of diving for the class, the official said.
IFD spokesman Mario Garza said Friday that investigators didn't yet know how Jolliff died. Garza said the Marion County Sheriff's Department would investigate.
The pond is murky and full of undergrowth, which complicated efforts to find the diver.
Jolliff is the second IFD firefighter to died in a diving exercise in less than two years. In August 2000, firefighter Warren J.C. Smith died during training on the city's southwest side.
http://www.firehouse.com/lodd/2002/in_jun14.html
Body Found Two Hours After Man Disappeared Under Water
Courtesy TheIndyChannel.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The body of an Indianapolis Fire Department diver who was training in a 10-acre pond on the city's northwest side was pulled from the water Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Paul Jolliff, 37, a seven-year member of the department, was part of a classs of beginning divers enrolled in a six-week training course.
Authorities said Jolliff's diving "buddy" lost track of him under water. Rescuers were called to the pond, near the intersection of West 79th Street and Marsh Road, around 12:45 p.m., authorities said.
Jolliff's body was found about two hours later. Rescuers couldn't revive him, and he was pronounced dead later at Methodist Hospital.
An official said the firefighter was among 22 students in diving school at the pond, which is 70 feet deep in places. They had been taking lessons since April.
Friday was the last day of diving for the class, the official said.
IFD spokesman Mario Garza said Friday that investigators didn't yet know how Jolliff died. Garza said the Marion County Sheriff's Department would investigate.
The pond is murky and full of undergrowth, which complicated efforts to find the diver.
Jolliff is the second IFD firefighter to died in a diving exercise in less than two years. In August 2000, firefighter Warren J.C. Smith died during training on the city's southwest side.
http://www.firehouse.com/lodd/2002/in_jun14.html