Man medevaced off VB coast dies

VIRGINIA BEACH , Va. (WAVY) - A man who was medevaced off a commercial diving vessel ,10 miles east of Rudee Inlet Saturday morning, has died at a local hospital.

Around 10:30 a.m. the captain of the commercial diving vessel Miss Lindsey contacted Coast Guard watchstanders reporting 55 year old Kevin Kraemer became unconscious approximately 10 minutes in to a dive.

The Coast Guard responded with a 45-foot Response boat. A boat crew from from the Virginia Beach Fire Department also responded with a medic on board while the Miss Lindsey headed toward the shore. The crew of the Miss Lindsey administered CPR, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard response boat met with the Miss Lindsey and Kraemer was transferred to the Coast Guard vessel along with a medic who was on board.

Kraemer was brought to the Rudee Inlet fishing center where he was taken to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. He was pronounced dead a short time later at the hospital, according to a Coast Guard spokesman.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family," said LT Jack Smith with the US Coast Guard. "It's always disheartening to work a case that ends up like this."

The Coast Guard is investigating the incident but have not released any additional details on what caused the man to become unconscious during the dive.

WAVY.com looked into the Miss Lindsey and found it's run by the Lynnhaven Dive Center. We stopped by the business on Great Neck Road, but we were told no comment. The boat's website say it gives divers a chance to explore area ship wrecks.

"Diving is inherently a dangerous sport," Smith added. "Obviously there is a pretty robust certification program for diving."

WAVY.com learned Kaermer was an active diver. The Coast Guard is working to find out what happened.

"It's a lot of investigating by talking to witnesses, looking at any gear, talking to medical professionals, talking to the master of the diving vessel and really just trying to put the pieces into place," Smith added.

Coast Guard officials say Kraemer was from Virginia Beach.

Stay with WAVY.com and Wavy News 10 on air for more details on this story as they become available.