The British cave diver who died in the Saint-Sauveur resurgence in south-western France has been named as Andrew “Andy” Rice, an experienced diver and Deputy Training Officer with InDepth Dive Club.
A British cave diver has been found dead following a specialist search operation
The 43-year-old, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, was found at a depth of 88m (288 ft) after a major specialist search operation following his failure to return from a dive in the Gouffre de Saint-Sauveur on Friday, 18 September.
Rice was an experienced diver and a member of the Gloucestershire-area InDepth Dive Club, where he served as Deputy Training Officer. The multi-agency club undertakes recreational and technical diving, including cave and mine diving, advanced wreck diving and rebreather training.
Tributes from friends and fellow divers have since described Rice as a much-liked member of the diving community. He had been posting photographs and video from his diving trip to France in the days before the accident.
Specialist rescue operation
Rice entered the submerged Saint-Sauveur system near Calès on Friday afternoon. When he failed to return as expected, his companions raised the alarm that evening.
The Préfecture du Lot activated the specialist ORSEC plan for underground rescue, with Spéléo Secours Français du Lot directing the subterranean operation. Specialist cave divers, firefighters and gendarmes were involved in the search.
Rescuers initially considered the possibility that Rice might have reached an air chamber within the flooded system. Rescuers searched the chamber on Saturday without success, and the operation continued into Sunday.
His body was located on Sunday at a depth of 88m (288 ft). Cahors public prosecutor Clara Ribeiro confirmed the discovery and said the cave's configuration made recovery difficult.
Investigation continues
Saint-Sauveur is a resurgence of the River Ouysse and a well-known cave-diving site in the Lot, an area with an extensive network of submerged limestone caves.
French authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Rice's death. No cause has yet been established.
