A 20-year-old student tragically died after being caught in an underwater vortex while diving off Old Harry Rocks near Swanage, Dorset, an inquest has revealed. Emily Sherwin, a marine conservation student at the University of Plymouth, was reported missing on July 23, 2024, after becoming separated from her dive buddy during a recreational dive. Despite an extensive search involving the Coastguard, police, RNLI, and local boaters, her body was never recovered.
At an inquest held in Bournemouth, Coroner Richard Middleton recorded a narrative conclusion, stating that Ms. Sherwin had likely been caught in a vortex shortly after entering the water and failed to return to the surface. The coroner explained, "Upon entry to the water, Ms. Sherwin 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."
Emily, who hailed from Poole, had developed a passion for diving after gaining her PADI qualification in the summer of 2023. Her mother, Ellen Sherwin, described her daughter as passionate about the sea and the natural world, calling the ocean her "safe place." In a statement released after her disappearance, the family expressed their heartbreak, saying, "We are heartbroken at the loss of Emily… but comforted that she was doing something she loved. She was high-spirited, outgoing, and lit up every room."
Emily had dreams of a career in marine conservation and was actively involved in her university’s sailing society. She had just completed her first year of study and was looking forward to returning to university to move in with friends in September. Ellen noted that her daughter had celebrated her 20th birthday just a day prior to the fateful dive, emphasizing how much she loved her first year at university and the social life that came with it.
On the day of the incident, Emily and her dive buddy, Beth Pryor, were part of a crew that set out from Poole Quay to Old Harry Rocks. They entered the water at approximately 5:52 PM. Beth recounted the harrowing experience, stating, "We both went down below the surface and we were horizontal facing each other and we were holding each other's arms. I signaled to Emily that something was wrong and pointed to my ears and gave her the signal to go back up. I did this two or three times."
As they descended to a depth of about 22 feet, they were caught in the underwater vortex. Beth described the disorienting experience, saying, "At this point we got caught in a vortex and started to spin around. I wasn't able to check my dive computer due to the spinning. I just felt disorientated." Despite her attempts to signal for Emily to ascend, she quickly lost contact and sight of her friend.
After realizing Emily was not with her, Beth surfaced and alerted the dive boat's skipper, who issued a Mayday call. A large-scale search operation was launched, involving RNLI lifeboat crews from Swanage and Poole, as well as local boaters. The search continued into the night but ultimately, Emily's body was never recovered.
Coroner Richard Middleton expressed his sympathies to Emily's family, stating, "My narrative conclusion is that Emily died as a consequence of being caught in an underwater current while being out on a leisure SCUBA dive." He acknowledged the extensive efforts made to locate her, but confirmed that the cause of death remains unknown due to the absence of her body.
Emily's family thanked everyone involved in the search efforts, highlighting the impact she had on those around her. They said, "The search operation was a testimony to the impact she had upon everyone she met and the love we all share for her. We will miss her forever."
The tragedy of Emily Sherwin has resonated deeply within the community and among her peers, as many remember her as a vibrant young woman with a passion for marine life and a bright future ahead. Her dedication to marine conservation and her love for diving were evident in the way she lived her life, and her family hopes that her legacy will inspire others to cherish and protect the ocean she adored.
