Tributes paid after diver from Inverness dies in accident in Canadian river
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A WORLD-renowned diver has died in a tragic accident during a dive in St Lawrence River in Canada.
Inverness-born Andy Phillips was reported missing after he failed to resurface following an early morning dive off of Macdonell Island, about 15km west of Cornwall, Ontario.
The incident happened on June 11 and emergency services including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, fire services, US Customs and Border Protection and a helicopter, were involved in the search operation for the 46-year-old but it was called off after several days.
Mr Phillips, who was the manager of Utila Dive Centre in Honduras, was the son of Duncan Phillips, who ran Duncan’s Barber Shop in Hill Street for many years, with his late wife Lin.
Mr Phillips senior, who has now retired to Spain, was a semi-professional musician on the Highlands music circuit.
His son also leaves a partner, Marie-Claude Dupras and a sister, Michelle, as well as uncles, aunts and cousins in Inverness.
He was a popular figure in the scuba diving world which has been left in shock at the news.
A post on the Utila Dive Centre Facebook page said Mr Phillips was an unsurpassed ambassador and icon for an industry he helped pioneer.
“Andy made an immeasurable impact to the community, the conservation and preservation of marine environment and notably the development of professional scuba divers throughout the world,” it stated.
“The impact that leaves our hearts broken is the one he made on everyone who had the privilege to know him. He was a thoughtful dive buddy, meaningful mentor, and best friend to so many that will now miss him dearly.”
As a child, Mr Phillips attended Smithton Primary School before the family moved south returning to Inverness several years later.
He first qualified as a diver in 1990 on a holiday in Greece but had been drawn to water since he was five.
He gained a BSc in business studies at Brunel University and later an MSc.
His funeral will be held in Canada when his body has been recovered.
