Many people would consider the tragic death of scuba diver Shane Thompson to be their worst nightmare. While exploring deep underwater caverns that had been sealed off for more than 40 years, Thompson became lost in the maze of tunnels and drowned.
According to the Guadalupe County Communicator, 43-year-old Navy veteran Shane Thompson was working to draw up a map of the uncharted parts of the “Blue Hole” in New Mexico, a small circular pool that leads to an abyss full of deadly underwater caverns. Despite the dangers, the Blue Hole is one of the most popular diving spots in the United States. And despite Shane Thompson’s 20-year expertise in scuba diving, he didn’t make it out of the pool alive.
Thompson reportedly got separated from his diving partner while navigating the depths. The cloudy waters full of turned-up silt made it difficult to keep track of each other. The divers were connected via a safety line, but as the two ventured further apart, the line was yanked forcibly from Mike Young’s hands.
“Shane was supposed to stay out, and for whatever reason entered the cave. Apparently something went horribly wrong, and he started to panic,” said Santa Rosa Police Chief Jude Gallegos.
Shane Thompson tried to abandon the dive and swim to the surface. Unfortunately, he took a wrong turn on the way up and got lost in the murky caverns. Young went searching for his partner, but Thompson was dead by the time he got there.
