Diver Emily Sherwin died after getting caught in vortex, inquest hears

A student died after getting caught in an underwater vortex while diving at sea, an inquest has heard.

Emily Sherwin, from Poole, went missing during a dive off Old Harry Rocks, near Swanage, Dorset, on 23 July last year.

Coroner Richard Middleton said a search was launched for the 20-year-old after she became separated from her dive buddy.

He said he was unable to provide a cause of death because, despite extensive searches, Ms Sherwin’s body had not been recovered.

Ms Sherwin, who was studying marine conservation at the University of Plymouth, had “loved” diving since completing her Padi qualification the previous summer, the Bournemouth hearing was told.

Recording a narrative conclusion, Mr Middleton said: “Upon entry to the water, Ms Sherwin has got caught in a vortex, she became separated from her dive buddy and failed to return to the surface.

“An extensive search was launched by a number of agencies but Ms Sherwin could not be found.”

In a statement read to the hearing, Ms Sherwin’s mother, Ellen, said her daughter had been “passionate” about nature.

She said: “She had loved her first year at university, enjoying both her course and the social life and was looking forward to sharing a house with friends.

“She had been active in the sailing society and enjoyed a university sailing holiday.

“She is outgoing and very social.”

Ms Sherwin started scuba diving in 2023 and “immediately loved it”, her mother said.

“She was passionate about the natural world, particularly the sea world. Her hero was David Attenborough.

“She described a deep sense of calm when under the sea. Ironically, she described it as a safe place.”