WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. – Two divers from Fort Lauderdale died over the weekend while exploring a dangerous cave system on the west coast of Florida.
Patrick Peacock and Chris Rittenmeyer, along with Justin Blakely, traveled from Fort Lauderdale on Sunday to go on a three-day dive at the Eagle's Nest dive area in Weeki Wachee.
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The three divers entered the water at 2 p.m., but while Blakely remained closed to the surface, Peacock and Rittenmeyer, more experienced divers, went below to explore the caves.
When Blakely arrived at a predetermined location at an agreed time, neither Peacock or Rittenmeyer were there.
Blakely returned 30 minutes later, but the duo did not appear.
After law enforcement was alerted to the missing divers, a rescue crew launched an unsuccessful attempt to locate both men.
The rescue team tried again Monday morning and Peacock and Rittenmeyer were located in 260 feet of water in what they called a complex area of the cave.