Navy sailor dies following diving incident at Devonport Naval Base
Wednesday, 27 March 2019
A Navy sailor has died following a diving incident on Auckland's North Shore.
The Defence Force said able diver Zachary Christopher Yarwood, 23, died in North Shore Hospital on Tuesday.
He had been taken to hospital in a critical condition after an advanced diver training session went wrong about 10pm on Monday.
The incident, at the Devonport Naval Base, occurred in about six to eight metres of water.
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A statement from the Defence Force said Yarwood joined the Navy in 2013 and served on HMNZS Te Kaha and Philomel.
'My condolences are with Zachary's fiancée, his parents and his two beloved brothers as they, along with us, come to terms with his passing,' chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor said.
'Today the Navy is mourning a young sailor who had already packed so much into his career and embodied our core values of courage, commitment and comradeship in everything he did.
'Zachary's loss will affect not only his family, but many within the Navy and the wider NZDF whanau.'
Yarwood was looking to join HMNZS Matataua as a qualified diver, Proctor said.
His family was being supported by a family liaison officer, his shipmates and the Navy.
'The NZDF requests that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.'
Police, WorkSafe NZ and the Coroner were investigating the incident.
The NZDF would be conducting a Court of Inquiry.