Woman diver feared dead in quarry

Divers are continuing to search for the woman

Police have suspended the search for a woman feared dead after being caught in ropes while diving in a disused quarry.

The woman, aged in her 40s and from Cheshire, was with a male friend when she got into difficulties at Dorothea Quarry, near Caernarfon, on Sunday.

The 45-year-old man tried to free her but had to return to the surface. He was treated for shock and the bends.

Diving teams are expected to return to the site on Tuesday. More than 20 people have died there since 1994.

The quarry is up to 300ft deep in places with a network of flooded tunnels and sheer drops.

It is popular with divers from across the UK but more than 20 people have died there since 1994.

'Dangerous'

The woman diver from the Congleton area got into difficulties on Sunday afternoon and police arrived at the scene at about 1530 GMT.

The man who was with her at the time of the incident was taken to a decompression unit on the Wirral.

He was discharged from the unit on Sunday evening.

Gwynedd councillor O.P Huws called for diving to be more controlled at the quarry.

"Something has to be done - but one of the main interest according to the divers - is the fact it's dangerous.

"They can go down to depths in Dorothea which are not allowed anywhere else," Mr Huws added.

"People are going to come there - illegally or not. It's about time we legalised their visits."

Rescue attempt

North Wales Police said in a statement that an underwater search had taken place at the location in the Nantlle Valley.

"Police were called to the location at around 3pm yesterday following a report of a diving incident.

"A woman, diving with a male companion got into difficulties when she became entangled in ropes in the water.

"The male diver stayed with her, trying to free her until he was forced to swim to the surface."

The statement added: "An ambulance was called to the scene and the 45-year-old man was treated.

"He was then airlifted by Squadron 22 of the RAF to a decompression unit on the Wirral."