Riddle over diver's death

Stuart, 24, a strong swimmer with more than 40 solo dives experience, was recovered by police diving teams yesterday, 20 hours after failing to surface in Wastwater, the deepest of the lakes.

The super-fit Burnley Sub Aqua Club member, of Mitchell Street, Burnley, had started his dive 10 minutes before friend, Michael Towneley, on Sunday afternoon.

Burnley scaffolder, Michael, 23, surfaced first but was not concerned because he knew Stuart, a doorman at Blackburn's Utopia Club, had plenty of oxygen.

But he raised the alarm 90 minutes later when his diving mate failed to appear - sparking a major police alert.

Bad weather conditions meant the police search aircraft was unable to join the hunt which was called off at dusk.

Stuart, for many years the bar manager at Burnley's Coal Clough House, was found by Cumbria and Lancashire police team divers - several of whom knew Stuart personally - yesterday afternoon.

An inquest on the former Ivy Bank High School student was opened and adjourned by Barrow coroner, John Taylor in Whitehaven, today. Stuart's body is expected to be returned to Burnley tomorrow.

Michael, who often joined his friend on dives in the Lake district had travelled to Wastwater in the Escort XR3I Stuart had bought just a month ago.

He said today: "He was a brilliant friend and a fine diver. We just don't know what could have gone wrong."

Action-man Stuart was also an experienced canoeist and abseiler

His mum said she had been inundated with messages of sympathy.

Mrs Summers, treasurer at Lowerhouse Cricket Club, said club officials called to say yesterday's first eleven one run Lancashire League victory had been dedicated to her in tribute to Stuart.

She said: "It s a terrible tragedy, but wonderful support from our many friends.

"Stuart died doing what he loved most - not many can say that."

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