The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of two men who died in a scuba-diving incident near Nanaimo on Oct. 11, 2013.

They were Robert Scott Young, aged 60, from Olympia, Washington, and Harold John Burkholder, aged 38, from Kent, Washington.

Mr. Young and Mr. Burkholder were attempting a deep technical dive in an area known as "the wall" at Snake Island, a small island just east of Nanaimo Harbour, on the afternoon of Oct. 11 when something went wrong.

Mr. Young returned to the surface but collapsed shortly afterward and could not be resuscitated.

Mr. Burkholder did not return to the surface. He was located and recovered on the afternoon of Oct. 13 at a depth of about 78 metres (256 feet) by a commercial diver who was assisting the RCMP.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death.

The families of both men have been notified of their deaths. On behalf of family members, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

For further information, please contact:

Matt Brown
Regional Coroner, Island Region
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9133