A U.S. Air Force airman, Nicholas Brown, was found dead after going missing while diving off the Florida Panhandle. Brown, who was from Texas, was last seen in open water near Destin. The cause of his death is still under investigation. Mark Price reported
A member of the U.S. Air Force, Nicholas Brown from Texas, tragically lost his life while diving off the coast of Florida during the Veterans Day weekend. The incident occurred on Friday, November 10, when Brown went missing at around 4:30 p.m., as reported by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. His last known location was in open water, approximately a mile south of East Pass near Destin, which is situated on a barrier island about 45 miles east of Pensacola.
Sadly, Brown’s body was discovered later that same Friday at an undisclosed location. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed by investigators. It is known, however, that Brown was engaged in a form of diving known as “free-diving,” as mentioned in a GoFundMe fundraiser that was set up in his memory. Free diving involves diving without the use of underwater breathing equipment, requiring divers to hold their breath for extended periods.
At the time of this incident, Brown was assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. The 33rd Fighter Wing, in a news release, stated that Brown, 34, was an instructor pilot for the 58th Fighter Squadron and hailed from Austin, Texas. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently being investigated.
The area where Brown was diving is popular among divers due to the presence of a series of “artificial reef modules” designed to replicate natural reef features and attract marine life. These modules have been created to enhance the diving experience in the region, as highlighted by the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Florida Visitors Center.
This unfortunate incident adds to a series of recent accidents and near-death experiences involving divers off the coast of Florida. It serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with water activities and the importance of taking necessary precautions to ensure safety..