On the 15th of July two men lost their lives while diving in Lake Pupuke on Auckland’s North Shore.
One of them was 33-year-old father of two Daniel Stoneham. His family stood at the shores of the lake for two days until police recovered his body.
It has now been six weeks since Daniel's death, and his family say the pain hasn't eased one bit.
It was the last day of a 15 week training course, and he and four other learner divers were to complete a 35 metre dive. It was their first time diving at Lake Pupuke, but soon after they entered the water something went wrong.
His family say they have no idea what happened on that day.
"We know nothing at the moment about what happened, except that he called some of us up on that day, to say "I'll call you back when I get back", and the phone call never came," Daniel's father Cliff Stoneham said.
The body of 37-year-old Tyrone North was found by divers the same day, and a third man was also taken to hospital.
But Daniel's family had to endure two days waiting by the shores of Lake Pupuke until his body was recovered from the murky water at a depth of 53 metres - 18 metres deeper than he had planned to dive.
“I was expecting someone to share some light for us, but no they haven't not to me anyway. I have had a discussion with a couple of divers, that went down with them that day - but it really didn't tell me anything they just told me that they knew something was going wrong and that’s all I know,” Cliff said.
Daniel's family is desperate for answers but say they will wait patiently if it means they’re given a detailed account of what happened and why.
Police, the Labour Department and Helix Training are all conducting their own investigations into the incident - police say they are waiting on final reports before handing the matter over to the coroner.
It is understood toxicology results may play in part in the findings, with post mortem results expected in the next week likely to be the first step in establishing what contributed to the deaths.
“The message I need to get out to them is that we need to find out why this accident happened - not just to my son but to two people and nearly to a third one - so the sooner we can get some answers the more likely people will make the right choices of whether diving is a good choice or not,” Cliff said.
Just two weeks before Daniel died - he had another brush with death while diving. He ran out of air at 21 metres and had to be guided by a friend. He told family he was shocked at how quickly he had run out.
“I asked Daniel if there was a follow up with that and he said ‘nah, I don't know what procedures they have for that sort of stuff’.”
It's not known if there is any connection between the two incidents - Daniel was using the dive companies gear on both occasions.
The police National Dive Squad routinely inspect and test dive equipment used in all deaths involving divers. The technical report and analysis of the dive will when completed be provided to North Shore police and ultimately the coroner.
What is known is that Daniel Stoneham had a love of water, and he wanted to pass on his diving knowledge to others. He was a man with many dreams - a man with a loving family who wanted to see him achieve them.
“As strong as we grow up thinking that we are, when one of your own die it’s very, very hard. I don't know how long these things take to heal but I know that the pain has not eased off,” Cliff said.
3 News