Teen Dies After Scuba Tank Runs Empty

A 16-year-old boy died Tuesday after a scuba diving accident in Cudjoe Key, according to the Monroe County Sherriff’s Office.

Kevin Piper, Jr. was diving offshore of the Lower Keys on Sunday when his scuba tank reportedly ran out of air. Piper was diving alone at about 120 feet deep near Maryland Shoal, while his friend, Zane Osborn, 17, was free diving above him.

Osborn told authorities Piper suddenly began to surface quickly. Osborn reportedly told him to slow down to prevent serious injury, but Piper motioned he was out of air and continued to swim to the surface. Once he surfaced, Piper told Osborn he felt “really weird,” detectives said.

Another friend who was on board the boat, 28-year-old Robert Pippin, Jr., jumped in to help Piper. Pippin said the teen was breathing, but unconscious. The group then headed to shore and called for help.

When the boat docked, Piper and his father, who was also on the boat, was transported to Lower Keys hospital. The injured diver was then airlifted to Miami where he died on Tuesday, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies took Piper’s dive gear at the scene, and the gauge on his tank read empty. Detectives are still investigating the incident.

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