Abandoned On a Dive Trip and Lost Forever | Last Moments

When you're stranded at sea, it's only a matter of time before you perish. But how do you go?
"Thomas Joseph Lonergan (born December 28, 1964) and Eileen Cassidy Lonergan (née Hains; born March 3, 1969) were a married American couple who were unintentionally abandoned in the Coral Sea off Australia's northeast coast on January 25, 1998, during a group scuba diving trip on MV Outer Edge. Their absences were not noted by the boat crew until two days later on January 27 and while search efforts resulted in the discovery of personal effects presumed to be those of the Lonergans, they did not lead to their discovery. Their whereabouts are unknown, though both are presumed dead.
The couple's disappearance and deaths resulted in "a crisis of confidence in north Queensland's dive industry" and resulted in tighter mandatory safety regulations for diving boats in Australia. Their disappearances also served as the inspiration for the 2003 film Open Water."
More on Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappe...
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Second Channel:

[@NathanCatherall]

We can always count on Qxir for another whimsical and uplifting tale to brighten up your day

[@williamklumpenhower1188]

Lesson: make friends with the boat crew on the way to the diving site

[@powwowken2760]

Nobody noticed 2 sets of diving gear, a left over bag, or that 2 people were missing. Despite the fact that people apparently remembered seeing them before they were left behind.... This is one of those stories where it feels like they were forgotten on purpose

[@SenseiJamesX]

Hi, I'm actually the grandson of Johnny (John Hains the first, my father is John Hains Jr.), I never would've expected to see this story become so public but my dad has told me about it and apparently was interviewed about it as well some time ago. I was actually taken aback when I saw the photo of Eileen when looking through the thumbnail playback, it's fascinating how these events of the past are still talked about to this day. Thank you for covering this, and I hope it spreads more awareness of the strong need to be focused and ensure all of the divers are together and not lost.

[@yaboyashh]

Seriously one of the scariest ways to die. To sit there for dozens of hours knowing you're going to die, and your last moments being you drowning, probably being awake, but not having enough strength to keep yourself above the water.

[@Dontshutmeup]

The fact that the pair's diaries were taken out of context sickens me. EVEN IF that were true and the pair attempted suicide it IS STILL THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEADER FOR THEIR CHARGES. Straight disgusting.

[@Deus-Vult_Against_the_bots]

As an Australian, I can say with certainty that sharks are not the things you should fear in the open sea, or any part of the ocean, it’s the jellyfish that are scary. Some of them you can’t even see, but you can certainly feel them.

[@sparkplugpeggy4910]

the captain is ultimately responsible for making sure he doesn't leave anyone behind. he's the freakin captain! he didn't kill them per se, but his negligence did lead to their death.

[@aydenlinden9661]

The fact you didn't read their final words but let it simply display over the music was a truly chilling touch, one can only imagine their desperation. At least they didn't die completely alone, and had each other.

[@climberly]

I used to do paddle board rentals, and you bet your irish bottom I counted each and every one of them at the end of the day. They're frickin expensive. I find it amazing the staff wouldn't keep track of their expensive diving gear, oh and the people in it too.

[@BenDover-mh8bs]

I bet you the tour guide couldn’t tell his arse from his elbow let alone count all the passengers

[@anton3320]

Happened to me off Cyprus. I was about 25 years old. Unattended dive boat lost its mooring and the wind whisked it away. Cypriot dive leader swam away so I was alone. Luckily coastguard ship found me before it got dark. But definitely worst experience of my life. Being helpless to save yourself is the worst feeling ever. I remember being sea sick, an emotional wreck, and in a panic. I became very tired and wanted to sleep. The waves got quite big. I made the mistake of taking off my bouyancy jacket and straddling it so my body was out the water as much as possible, thinking that maybe a plane would spot me easier, and fish couldn't bite my legs, but I managed to hang on to the jacket. Trying to get on the coastguard ship was tough. I was exhausted and getting slammed into the side of the ship in big waves. Im very careful what boats I get on now. Its true that "Worse things do happen at sea" Although happy to say I made 50+ boat dives in UK waters without any issues. Do your research and be careful who you dive with.

[@Jedda73]

Ive been diving at that location. The water temp that time of year is up around 30C, so too hot to swim any real distance. There are also numerous stingers and the danger of box jelly fish. After a day out there you would be praying for a shark to finish you off. It was a huge deal in Australia when the Lonergan's vanished, and it was outrageous that nobody was held accountable in the end through punishment.

[@Mico605]

Tour guide: hm feels like i forgot something

[@twurtle5908]

I remember when I did my PADI dive certification this story was part of the course to show the importance of knowing where all the divers are.

[@samstarkweather5172]

How tf do you NOT notice that TWO SETS of likely expensive diving gear has gone missing? And they didn't even check the bag until a day later? That must've been the single sketchiest diving company on that side of the Pacific.

[@ZachAttack-fy5dl]

That letter was pretty sad and creepy. I can’t imagine being left out in the middle of the ocean to die and drown.

[@tytoalbasoren9457]

"I think I forgot something."

[@beansontoast9323]

For those who dont know, every scuba diving suit and kit has a BCD. It's basically a life vest that you can inflate by your self Or by your oxygen tank. With a fully inflated BCD it is very difficult to go under water and every vest has a set amount of weights in the pockets of it to keep you weighted down from the sheer buoyancy of an oxygen tank. BCD's can be deflated so that the wearer can sink into the water with ease. It could be possible that the BCD's deflated and because of pure exhaustion could not manually inflate the vests. Because no air is keeping the vest up they had no choice but to take them off. Tired and sore they probably struggled and drowned with no vest. RIP