Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Manchester-Born Diver Dies During Lake Erie Vehicle Recovery

Tributes focus on a teacher of divers with deep Manchester roots.

Overview

  • Gary Smith, 67, failed to resurface while attaching cables to a submerged vehicle at Erieau Marina on March 18 during a recovery job in Lake Erie.
  • Police, fire crews and a search-and-recovery unit launched a large search after he went missing in the marina channel.
  • Chatham-Kent Police confirmed his body was recovered the next day after the multi-agency response.
  • An obituary from McKinlay Funeral Homes describes the longtime shop owner and instructor as devoted to safety and notes he is survived by his wife, Polly, and son, Stephen.
  • UK outlets including Manchester Evening News and Yorkshire Live reported the police confirmation and obituary details, noting he named his Ontario scuba shop after Manchester United.