British diver collapses on boat and later dies in hospital

A British female diver died in hospital after losing consciousness on a boat, soon after surfacing at Xatt l-Aħmar in Għajnsielem, the police said.

Initial investigations showed that the 43-year-old woman was diving with her friends and collapsed when getting back on the boat. The incident happened at around 3pm on Saturday.

The woman was taken to Mġarr port in Gozo, where an ambulance transported her to the Gozo General Hospital. She was found to have suffered serious injuries.

No information was given as to the nature of the injuries.

Medical staff pronounced the woman dead at around 6.45pm at which point the police were called in.

Magistrate Joanne Vella Cuschieri is leading an inquiry, while police investigations are ongoing.

Last month a young Maltese diver was found dead after going missing in the sea off Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. Neil Zammit, 20, had been diving with a friend but failed to surface. His corpse was found 24 hours later after an intensive search in the area.

In May, a 50-year-old British man also lost his life while diving in Ċirkewwa. He was diving with a buddy as part of a scuba diving group when he found himself in difficulty. The man died at Mater Dei Hospital.