Partners say divers had been drinking

NELSON - Two victims of the French Pass scuba tragedy had been drinking heavily the night before and should not have dived, their partners say.

Hallet Smith, partner of Narelle Te Purei, and Jan McNeilage, partner of Ricky MacDonald, have spoken out about their concerns for the first time.

They said Ms Te Purei and Mr MacDonald, who were taking part in an advanced dive training course run by the Nelson Dive Centre, drank too much at a barbecue with other course members.

They were still feeling the effects the next day and should not have been allowed to dive.

Instructor Andrew Stuart said yesterday: "The truth will come out in the coroner's report."

He noted that Mr Smith was on the dive trip and could have taken action if he had concerns. He declined to comment further.

Ms Te Purei and Mr MacDonald died after they, four other students and Mr Stuart were dragged into a deep underwater hole two weeks ago.

Another student, David Welsh, also died, but his body has not been found.

Mr Smith said he and Ms Te Purei, with several other course members, attended a barbecue at Mr Stuart's place the night before the trip.

He said they were drinking beer and he, Ms Te Purei and Mr MacDonald got quite drunk. He and Ms Te Purei left about midnight, and the next day Ms Te Purei complained of a hangover.

Mr Smith, who was dive master for the trip with the role of driving the dive boat and assisting Mr Stuart, said he did not think Ms Te Purei should have gone down that day.

While she showed no visible signs of having been drinking, it was likely the alcohol was still in her system.

He did not try to stop her, adding: "As an individual she had the choice. They all had the choice."

Ms McNeilage said she did not think Mr MacDonald, aged 41, was in a fit state to dive either.

He was "still quite drunk" after the barbecue. He got home about 2 am and had only a few hours' sleep.

"When Ricky was drunk he got this giggle. He thought I was stupid, telling him not to go."

She said he brushed his teeth about three times to get rid of the smell of alcohol on his breath.

As she drove him to meet the other students, he made her stop so he could buy peppermints.

"He had heard of someone else turning up smelling of alcohol and being made to stay at the [dive] centre for the day."

She said she told him he was stupid going on the dive trip, "but the man did what he wanted."

Experienced dive instructor Bill Lines said yesterday that he recommended students not to drink at all the night before a dive trip, or if they must drink, to drink in moderation.

If he knew a student had a hangover he would not allow that person to dive because judgment underwater could be affected.

Drinking a lot also caused dehydration, which contributed to decompression sickness.

Detective Sergeant Wayne McCoy, of Nelson, said blood samples from Ms Te Purei and Mr MacDonald were being analysed.

- NZPA