A diver who died after a rescue, during which the coastguard helicopter winch failed to work, has been named by police.
A diver who died after a rescue, during which the coastguard helicopter winch failed to work, has been named by police. Jan Karon, 54, from Bristol was picked up by rescuers after surfacing unconscious from a dive off Weymouth.
During the rescue Karon was suspended in mid-air for half a mile after the winch on the Portland Coastguard AW139 failed. The winchman carried out CPR on the diver before he was lowered to a nearby boat and taken to hospital.
A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the winch malfunction did not contribute to his death.
The AgustaWestland helicopters have only been in use at Portland for six months. The winch failure comes a week after the helicopters at both sites were grounded at night until further notice, because of problems with specialist equipment on board.
An inquest into Karon's death was opened and adjourned by the West Dorset coroner.
