Body of Australian diver missing in Batangas found 3 days later

MANILA, Philippines – The body of an Australian diver was found near a popular Batangas resort on Saturday afternoon, May 5, or 3 days since he was reported missing.

Australian national Andre Kilbride went into a deep-sea dive with a French instructor earlier on Wednesday, May 2, when they were separated underwater. He failed to surface.

His body was retrieved not far from the popular Aquaventure Dive Resort on Saturday early afternoon, after 3 days of search operations that involved the Philippine Coast Guard and local fishermen.

“It was his dive partner who found him. His body was submerged,” said Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo on Saturday.

The diving instructor who went deep-sea diving with Kilbride was identified as French national Daniel Borgaud. 

Based on a report filed with the Coast Guard, Kilbride was unable to surface after his wing type bouyance compensator device was detached from the back plate.

Borgaud supposedly assisted Kilbride when he found him ascending uncontrollably, giving his “25% travel gas” when he found his oxygen tank empty.

But it wasn’t enough and the strong current didn’t help. Kilbride reportedly ascended slowly. He tried to wait for him at 21 meters below the surface, but he was unable to surface. – Rappler.com