Morrison Quarry: Tragic Diving Disasters That Shocked the Dive Community!
| Incident Location | Diver Full Name |
|---|---|
| Canada, Morrison Quarry | Jean-Michel Nadon, Marco Llante, David Rothwell, Joanne Bundel |
History and Location
Located off Highway 105 in Wakefield, Quebec, Morrison Quarry was once an active site for extracting brucite. Today, it has transformed into a scenic recreational area visited by thousands annually. The quarry’s attractions include:
- Scuba Diving Training: A favored site for divers to train, offering varied depths and underwater features.
- Campground and Festivals: Hosting campgrounds, concerts, and festivals throughout the summer.
- Bungee Jumping: The quarry also boasts a 200-foot bungee jump, the tallest in Canada, appealing to thrill-seekers from across the country.
Diving Conditions and Hazards
The quarry’s waters, tinged a striking green-blue, reach depths of up to 139 feet. Visibility varies significantly, from around 25 feet in the summer to over 100 feet during spring and fall. Divers encounter two distinct thermoclines that drop water temperatures to a frigid 4-5°C near the bottom, regardless of surface warmth. Additionally, an old access road winds around the quarry, resembling a massive staircase spiraling downward, adding unique features for underwater exploration.
Sunken Attractions
Morrison Quarry holds various submerged attractions that make it especially appealing for scuba divers. These include:
- A Plane Wreck – Resting at around 35 feet.
- A Tugboat – Situated at 60 feet.
- Two Sunken Cars – One car was driven off intentionally during a film shoot, while the other remains as evidence of a failed car theft attempt.
These underwater artifacts contribute to the quarry’s allure but also heighten the risks for divers navigating through this submerged maze of structures.
Tragic Accidents
Unfortunately, Morrison Quarry has also witnessed several tragedies, with both divers and non-divers succumbing to its dangers.
The 2014 Incident: Marco Llant’s Fatal Ice Dive
Marco Llant’s Background and Preparation
Marco Llant, a 53-year-old resident of Gatineau, Quebec, was an avid diver who had recently obtained his general diving certification. Known for his adventurous spirit, he was eager to attempt his first ice dive. On March 23, 2014, Marco, along with two friends, arrived at Morrison Quarry to undertake this challenging dive. Before entering, they logged their details, confirming they were PADI or SSI certified.
Ice Diving Setup and Conditions
The conditions that day were harsh, with extremely cold water temperatures that intensified the dangers of an already complex dive. Two holes in the ice had been opened for diving: one over the plane for an organized training course by firefighters, and another in a shallow bay, which Marco’s group used.
However, they neglected to follow several essential safety protocols for ice diving:
- No continuous line was secured from the entry point to the surface.
- No safety divers or surface line tenders were present.
- Marco’s equipment lacked redundancy, especially regarding air supply.
These oversights would prove critical during Marco’s dive.
The Dive and Critical Moments
As Marco descended to a depth of 125 feet with his buddies, he appeared to grow anxious and consumed over half of his air supply within 10 minutes. The combination of cold water, overhead ice, and limited visibility intensified his panic. Marco had previously shown a tendency to hyperventilate and consume air quickly, a trait that compounded his disorientation and struggle to control buoyancy.
When Marco’s buddies surfaced and could not locate him near the exit hole, it became evident that he had likely become disoriented underwater. Lacking a lifeline to the surface and with no one monitoring him, Marco’s situation quickly escalated to a point of no return.
Discovery and Recovery
An instructor from the nearby training group initiated an emergency dive and found Marco’s body at 12:30 p.m. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts by firefighters, Marco was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Investigation and Findings
Authorities launched a thorough investigation into Marco’s death, including an autopsy and a detailed examination of his equipment. The findings highlighted several key factors:
- Air Mismanagement and Panic: Marco likely exhausted his air due to heightened anxiety in the cold, overhead environment, exacerbated by his lack of experience.
- Equipment Condition: His equipment was found to be in good condition, suggesting the issue lay in operational mismanagement rather than malfunction.
- Physical Condition: The autopsy revealed significant pulmonary congestion and pink frothy fluid indicative of drowning. Internal examinations showed no fractures or traumatic injuries. Additionally, Marco had a degree of atherosclerotic heart disease with 70% coronary artery occlusion, which may have contributed to his panic response.
Lessons Learned from Marco’s Incident
The investigation into Marco’s death highlights three critical lessons:
- Inexperience and Lack of Training: Marco’s lack of training for ice-diving and overhead environments left him unprepared for the conditions, ultimately contributing to his panic and poor air management.
- Buddy System Failure: Close contact between buddies is essential, especially in challenging environments. Marco’s buddies exited the water without him, indicating a breakdown in communication and safety.
- Absence of Safety Protocols: Diving in overhead environments without a tether, backup air source, or support divers significantly increased the risk.
These factors underscore the importance of rigorous training, adherence to safety protocols, and the presence of essential equipment such as redundant air supplies and lifelines.
The Fatal Fall of David Rothwell
On July 7, 2015, 35-year-old David Rothwell, an Ottawa resident, ignored warning signs and jumped from a 23-meter cliff into the quarry’s waters. Tragically, he disappeared below the surface despite rescue attempts by a vacationing Montreal police officer. His body was recovered the following morning, a reminder of the dangers that lie above the waterline.
The Incident of Jean-Michel Nadon
In July 2019, 24-year-old Jean-Michel Nadon, an experienced dry suit diver from Western Canada, arrived at Morrison Quarry. Though new to the site, he had completed several cold-water dives and was eager to explore the quarry’s underwater attractions.
Fatal Fourth Dive
After completing three successful dives on July 28, Jean-Michel and his friend decided to embark on a fourth dive without sufficient rest or a pre-dive safety check. During their descent to 92 feet, Jean-Michel experienced issues with his breathing apparatus. His friend offered an emergency regulator, but a missing nylon tie caused water leakage, rendering it unusable.
In a panic, Jean-Michel attempted an emergency ascent. At around 60 feet, his friend lost sight of him. Despite rapid assistance from emergency personnel, Jean-Michel’s body was later found at 106 feet with his oxygen valve partially open. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and his autopsy confirmed death by drowning, compounded by equipment malfunction and procedural lapses.
In memory of those who lost their lives, Morrison Quarry reminds us that excitement must always be balanced with preparation and respect for established diving practices.
