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| Inquest on diving holiday deaths | Inquest on diving holiday deaths |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Evidence on the deaths of a renowned heritage expert and his son while scuba diving in the Mediterranean is being heard at an inquest in Cardiff. | |
| Richard Avent, 58, and son Rhydian, 16, from Raglan, Monmouthshire, drowned after getting into difficulties on a dive near Malta in August 2006. | Richard Avent, 58, and son Rhydian, 16, from Raglan, Monmouthshire, drowned after getting into difficulties on a dive near Malta in August 2006. |
| Both novice divers, they died despite attempts by his wife Dr Sian Rees and others to resuscitate them. | Both novice divers, they died despite attempts by his wife Dr Sian Rees and others to resuscitate them. |
| Mr Avent was a chief inspector with Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments. | Mr Avent was a chief inspector with Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments. |
| After the deaths, police in Malta launched an investigation and a magistrate on the island appointed court experts to help with the probe. | After the deaths, police in Malta launched an investigation and a magistrate on the island appointed court experts to help with the probe. |
| A post-mortem examination concluded that the pair died from barotrauma - pressure difference between lungs and the outside atmosphere - and drowning. | A post-mortem examination concluded that the pair died from barotrauma - pressure difference between lungs and the outside atmosphere - and drowning. |
| On the day of their deaths off Gozo Island, Dr Rees, an experienced diver, descended to 70ft (21m) with the instructor while her husband and son stayed above them. | On the day of their deaths off Gozo Island, Dr Rees, an experienced diver, descended to 70ft (21m) with the instructor while her husband and son stayed above them. |
| Dr Sian Rees was diving near her husband and son | Dr Sian Rees was diving near her husband and son |
| Mr Avent was said to have been planning the holiday with Dr Rees, also a senior official with Cadw, for the past two years. | Mr Avent was said to have been planning the holiday with Dr Rees, also a senior official with Cadw, for the past two years. |
| The family's two older children were not on the holiday. | The family's two older children were not on the holiday. |
| At the time of their deaths, First Minister Rhodri Morgan paid tribute to Mr Avent, who was a chief inspector with Cadw, the assembly government's historic environment service. | At the time of their deaths, First Minister Rhodri Morgan paid tribute to Mr Avent, who was a chief inspector with Cadw, the assembly government's historic environment service. |
| He said Mr Avent had made a "massive contribution" to the protection and conservation of Wales's historic sites and buildings. | He said Mr Avent had made a "massive contribution" to the protection and conservation of Wales's historic sites and buildings. |