Diver who died from heart attack in KZN identified as Cambridge mayor

The 61-year-old British national who died from a suspected heart attack while resurfacing from a diving spot off the coast of Umkomaas last week has been identified as the mayor of Cambridge, Nigel Gawthrope, reports South Coast Herald.

It is said that Councillor Gawthrope had been an avid underwater photographer. He was on holiday in South Africa along with his wife, Jenny.

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In a statement issued, the Cambridge City Council said: “The council’s thoughts are with his wife Jenny, the mayoress, who was with him, and with his family and friends and close council colleagues as they come to terms with this devastating loss.”

Paramedics rushed to Umkomaas on Friday after news that Gawthrope was suffering a heart attack.

Reports from the scene indicated that he had been diving and went into cardiac arrest shortly after surfacing.

Fellow divers initiated CPR on the boat while rushing to shore where an advanced life support paramedic took over.

Despite the best efforts of all involved, the man was declared dead at the scene.

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