| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Matthews, George | 22 | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
At around noon on Thursday, October 3, George Alvin Matthews (22) and a friend (22) went diving in Ebro Springs in Florida. Both had become open-water certified two months previously. They were wearing single tanks, with single regulators and had only one light each. Neither had received any cave diving training. After 10 or 15 minutes, they were on their way out and got separated. Matthews apparently became disoriented and drowned when his air ran out. The body was later recovered by two divers from the Sheriff's rescue team from Washington County, Florida.
Those outside the caving community will seek adventure with poor equipment and know-how, both in air and water-filled caves. Unfortunately, their mistakes cost lives and access. The Sheriff involved here spoke of closing the spring by blasting.
George Alvin Matthews drowned in Ebro Springs due to disorientation and exhaustion of air supply; both divers lacked cave diving training and proper equipment.