The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

AN American tourist drowned while participating in a free dive competition in Long Island yesterday afternoon.

According to reports the visitor was diving in waters about 235ft deep for about 3 1/2 minutes before coming to the surface.

It was reported that at about half an hour after he resurfaced he had a seizure and was unresponsive. He was seen by a local doctor but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not identified the man, but The Tribune understands he is 33-year-old Nicholas Melvoli of Brooklyn, New York.

He was staying at the Habour View Hotel in Clarence Town while diving in a tournament on the island.

According to a statement written by the American Association for breath hold diving (AIDA), Mr Melvoli was participating in the 2013 Vertical Blue Dive Competition.

“Nick,” said the AIDA statement, “had performed a constant weight no fins dive to 72m, reached depth, and swam back to the surface successfully. Nick attempted to complete the surface protocol, but was unsuccessful and had difficulty breathing. He lost consciousness, and in spite of great efforts by the doctor and paramedic on site, failed to recover after reaching the local hospital. Nick appears to have suffered from a depth-related injury to his lungs,” the statement said.

“Nick lived in Brooklyn, New York, and worked in the television industry. He was a passionate waterman, spearfisherman and freediver, and vocal advocate for the sport in the United States. Nick was an extraordinary talent, breaking the US constant weight record shortly after beginning competitive freedive in 2012. This year, Nick took second place in the inaugural Caribbean Cup in Roatan, first place at the Deja Blue competition in Curaçao, and a silver medal in constant no fins at this year’s AIDA Depth World Championship in Greece.

“Nick’s friends will miss his warm smile and sense of humour, and eagerness to spearfish and dive at any time,” said the AIDA statement.

Investigations continue.