Diver dies at Port Noarlunga Reef and Onkaparinga Aquatic Reserve

THE death of a scuba diver at Port Noarlunga yesterday was the second at the location in 10 days.

THE death of a scuba diver at Port Noarlunga yesterday was the second at the location in 10 days.

Police spokesman Sergeant Rob Badenoch said witnesses on the jetty saw the man, aged 47, near the jetty steps about 3.15pm.

"He was experiencing some difficulty around the pylons, (then) people ... lost sight of him and he was last seen further down the coast," Sgt Badenoch said. "He was on the surface feeling around his chest area for his equipment."

The man was later spotted at the mouth of the Onkaparinga River. Surf life savers, in an inflatable rescue boat, retrieved the body.

On September 3, a man died after diving off a jetty at Port Noarlunga.

At the time, police said they believed the man had drowned after suffering a heart attack.

It is understood the middle-aged man had scuba diving equipment with him, and he was with a female family member at the time.

Sgt Badenoch said yesterday's victim was out diving without a dive buddy. "He was diving alone and we are not sure of the cause of death but police will be conducting an investigation for the coroner," he said.

He said Port Noarlunga was a popular spot for scuba divers and they often swam underneath the jetty. He said there was nothing to indicate that the man had become stuck under the jetty.

Surf Life Saving South Australia state manager Shane Daw warned anyone preparing to get in the water to take care.

"The weather might be 28C or 29C but the water is still cold. You could get tired, you may panic," Mr Daw said.

"People need to be careful. Life savers are not yet on duty for the season and we've already had to perform a number of rescues.

"Anyone going to the beach or the river this weekend needs to think about how they are going to be safe."

In April, two Indian men, aged 25 and 29, drowned at Vivonne Bay, on Kangaroo Island, and in March a toddler drowned at a Thebarton home in a container of water left out for a family pet.