Cave Diver Dies

WEEKI WACHEE — Divers have recovered the body of a Kentucky man who died Tuesday evening while diving in underwater caverns in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said.

James D. Woodall II, 39, likely drowned accidentally. No foul play is suspected.

His body was pulled from the waters shortly after midnight by a diver with the St. Petersburg Police Department and the owner of a diving shop in Citrus County.

Woodall and Gregory S. Snowden, 34, both of Richmond, Ky., came to Hernando County to go cave diving in the Eagle Nest Underwater Caverns, deputies said. The men were experienced divers but had no certification for cave diving, said Sgt. Donna Black of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

The caves there are known as the "Mount Everest" or "Grand Canyon" of cave diving for their stunning views, extreme depth and remote location. The area is miles from hard road and difficult to access without off-road vehicles.

The area was closed off to cave divers from 1999 to 2003, and few were allowed to dive there before that. However, that didn't stop divers from around the world from illegally accessing the caves.

Woodall and Snowden were down about 270 feet and nearly 500 feet inside the caves Tuesday afternoon when Woodall started having problems with his breathing apparatus, deputies said.

Snowden tried to help his friend, deputies said, but Woodall was in an "altered mental state" and pushed him away, a report said. By the time Snowden was able to steady himself after the shove, Woodall had already drowned.

Snowden surfaced and called for help at 6:01 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office then called in cave divers from St. Petersburg and Citrus County to help recover Woodall's body.

Woodall's family in Kentucky was notified of his death Tuesday.

Friends in Kentucky said Woodall and Snowden came to Florida for the annual Diving Equipment and Marketing Association convention in Orlando. And, as usual, they made plans to do some diving during the trip.

Hernando County is home to some of the most challenging cave diving sites in the world — and some of the most dangerous.

In 1987, Jason Tuskes died while diving near Jenkins Creek. Before he died, the 17-year-old Springstead High School student used a knife to scratch a message to his parents and brother on his tank: "I love you Mom, Dad and Christian."

Two divers died in Hernando caves in 1990. Lloyd Morrison, 25, of Hudson drowned that May after being separated from his group. Brent Potts, 29, of Tallahassee died three months later in 200 feet of water in an accident at Eagle Nest that left another diver injured.

In 1999, Italian tourist Guido Gaudenzi, 29, died in a sinkhole under the Sand Hill Scout Reservation after he accidentally sucked air from the wrong tank. He was wearing a tank of pure oxygen at 120 feet, which is toxic at that depth.

HC resident wrote:

WEEKI WACHEE — Divers have recovered the body of a Kentucky man who died Tuesday evening while diving in underwater caverns in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said.

There is a cave entrance here on my brothers property. Its just a hole in the ground but the water in it is crystal clear. Then it kinda turns and you cant see anything. Ive seen pictures from the caverens and it sure is beautiful under there. You wouldnt catch me in a cave though. I am NOT an experienced diver. Great snorkeler, but not good enough for anything like the caves. You really do need to know what you are doing down there or you wont be coming up alive.