Diver in winch fail rescue named

The AW139 helicopter has only been in use for six months

A diver who died after a rescue in Dorset, during which a helicopter winch failed, has been named.

Jan Karon, a 54-year-old lorry instructor from Bristol, surfaced unconscious off Weymouth on Sunday.

The winch on Portland Coastguard's AW139 failed while he was being hoisted up, and he was lowered back down to a boat before being taken to hospital.

The malfunction did not contribute to his death, said a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

An inquest was opened and adjourned in Blandford on Thursday.

After being lowered to the boat, Mr Karon and a winchman were met on land by the helicopter.

The diver was pronounced dead in Dorset County Hospital.

The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters have only been in use at Portland and nearby Lee-on-Solent Coastguard, Hampshire, for six months.

The winch failure came one week after the helicopters at both sites were grounded at night, until further notice, because of problems with specialist equipment on board.