Diver 'tried to seal his mask'

A commercial diver spent the last seconds of his life trying to seal his mask which "fell apart" underwater before he died, an inquest has heard.

Gary Miller, 36, was helping to construct a bridge between two docks in Canary Wharf on 8 November, 2000, when diving supervisor, Bill Reeves, lost contact with him.

Mr Miller, of Grosvenor Drive, Hornchurch, Essex, alerted a standby diver to the fact that there was a tug-boat coming through but that was the last the crew heard of him.

Minutes later he was brought up unconscious and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

I would imagine over a period of seconds various attempts were made by Mr Miller to get a seal on his mask

Dr John Bevan

On Wednesday a specialist diving consultant Dr John Bevan, told St Pancras Coroner's Court, that he believed Mr Miller's mask had been incorrectly assembled.

He said that as the band holding his hood on came apart water leaked in.

"I think from the evidence it appears Mr Miller spent what time he had trying to get an air supply," said Dr Bevan.

"I would imagine over a period of seconds various attempts were made by Mr Miller to get a seal on his mask."

'Not ideal'

Mr Reeves, who assembled the mask, had told the inquest he was not aware it had been incorrectly put together and Mr Miller had checked it himself.

But Dr Bevan said: "If the mask had not been incorrectly assembled he would not have drowned and it would not have fallen apart."

Mr Miller's suit was also "not ideal" said Dr Bevan as a left-hand crutch-strap was missing and another was taped on.

Mr Miller had been working for specialist contractor Arkal Limited at the time of the incident.

The inquest continues.