Tourist Dies After Having 'Panic Attack' While Scuba Diving
Image via Getty Images

Tourist Dies After Having 'Panic Attack' While Scuba Diving

An Australian tourist has died while scuba diving. He was visiting Bali when he suffered a panic attack while under the ocean. Tragically, his anxiety caused his death.

The incident happened on December 30 near Segara Beach in Tulamben.

40-year-old Nathan John Scott drowned while scuba diving. He had been only weeks from his 41st birthday when he died. According to Sky News Australia,  Scott was on vacation in Bali and decided to go scuba diving. A fellow diver saw the entire thing underwater. At a depth of 49 feet, Scot appeared to start to panic.

Anxiety caused the Australian man to act irrationally. The tourist removed his diving regulator. It's unknown if there was anything wrong with it or if it was all anxiety-related. Panicking, Scott then tried to swim to the surface. But as mentioned, the diver was at a depth of 49 feet. He never made it to the top of the sea before he drowned.

Scuba Diving Accident

Two instructors had been with Scott at the time of his death. One of them called for help when the incident happened. A local fisherman saw Scott's body floating near the surface. He and another diver helped lift Scott into the boat. At the time, he was still alive. The boat radio for emergency services to meet them.

But despite this quick action and being taken to the hospital, Scott later died.

Kubu Police chief, I Nyoman Sukarma, told the Daily Mail, "Based on witnesses, the victim had a panic attack while diving and suddenly removed his diving regulator."

Meanwhile, the Australian Consulate in Bali released a statement after the scuba diving incident.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Bali," a spokesperson told the outlet. "We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time."