THIS Saturday will see a number of divers taking to the depths of Sodwana Bay in a memorial to top divers, Peter Timm (51) and Adele Stegen van Deventer (45).
The duo lost their lives last month while attempting to retrieve research equipment off Umkomaas near Aliwal Shoal.
Tommy van Deventer, Adele’s husband, confirmed the autopsy results have been released and indicate an ‘unnatural death’.
Van Deventer said he is ‘very sore but life is going on day by day’.
He will not be able to attend Saturday’s memorial dive at Sodwana Bay, but will spend a few days there, the place Adele loved to dive the most.
Van Deventer quashed reports of his wife’s death being caused by malfunctioning equipment she had borrowed for the fateful dive, stressing that she always used her own equipment.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson, Musa Mntambo, said the organisation was ‘not aware’, as yet, of the autopsy results’ release.
Comments and condolences from many fellow divers and friends poured in, remembering Timm as ‘a legendary South African underwater explorer who played a part in one of the most extraordinary animal rediscoveries of our time’ and ‘an exceptional man who did so many things for so many people’.
‘Eve, Rolleen (his business partner and co-founder of Triton), his daughters, Vanessa and Jade, and the Triton staff thank everyone for their kind condolences. Peter’s legacy will live on at Triton and we thank you for your continued support.’
Saturday’s memorial dive will begin at 10am at Triton to honour and celebrate the lives of both divers. Following the dive, there will be an evening get together on the beach.
In a press release, iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority said, ‘The iSimangaliso Wetland Park joins the close-knit community of Sodwana Bay in mourning the loss of one of their most experienced diving colleagues, Peter Timm, together with his regular dive buddy, Adele Stegen.
‘ iSimangaliso Commercial Director, Terri Castis added, ‘I will miss his insights and his guidance. iSimangaliso and the staff wish to pay tribute to his extraordinary achievements and contribution. We have had a long and positive working relationship with Peter, whose passion and support for the conservation of this area was tangible. He was a giant of a man and will be missed by all of us who worked with him.’
A tribute service will be held in the Sodwana Bay section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park on Saturday at 3pm for those wishing to pay their respects.
