Weeki Wachee: Diver’s Father Wants Cave Closed After Deaths

cave diving

WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man wants the state to close an underwater cave system after his son and grandson died there in a diving accident on Christmas Day.

Chester Spivey Jr. says the 300-foot deep Eagle Nest Sink cave in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area is too dangerous for diving. Thirty-five-year-old Darrin Spivey and his 15-year-old son, Dillon Sanchez, were found dead Wednesday.

The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/1kPQREA) reports that at least six other divers have died in the vast underwater cave system since 1981.

State wildlife officials say they have no plans to close it. Only certified cave divers should enter the system, officials said.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Spivey was a certified diver; however, he was not a certified cave diver. Sanchez was not a certified diver.

Source: Associated Press