A Vancouver doctor and his 27-year-old son died Saturday in a scuba diving accident in the Pacific Ocean near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Tom Dyehouse, 57, of Camas was the medical director for Legacy Medical Group Family Wellness in Vancouver.
“We do not have many details at this time, but we have been told this accident also took the life of his son, Graeme,” according to a written statement issued Monday morning by Legacy Medical Group.
Dyehouse had been with Family Wellness for more than 16 years prior to its recent transition to become part of Legacy.
The doctor, his wife, Cheryl, 57, and their four adult sons were all on the trip. They were on a scuba diving tour to Gordo Banks, about 8 miles off the coast from San Jose del Cabo, when Tom Dyehouse and Graeme Dyehouse got separated from the group, KGW-TV reported.
Tour descriptions online describe it as an advanced dive due to the depth and heavy seas, and can feature strong currents and changing visibility.
Tom Dyehouse’s sister, Karyn Dyehouse, told KGW that her brother was an experienced scuba diver and had taken his sons scuba diving before. This was the first time the whole family had gone together, however.
The family told KGW they believe Tom Dyehouse was trying to help his oldest son when they got separated from the group. The Mexican navy responded to search for the men. Technical divers found them dead the next day underwater.
A spokesperson with the U.S. Coast Guard, who acted as a liaison between the family and Mexican navy, said that the search started around noon Saturday. The Mexican navy used small boats with divers and a helicopter.
Efforts to reach a spokesperson with the Mexican navy and U.S. Embassy in Tijuana were unsuccessful Monday morning.
Karyn Dyehouse told KGW that one of her nephews tried to save his father and brother but was unable to reach them. She said the family is making arrangements to return to Vancouver.
“We know he was beloved by patients, peers, and staff, so this loss will be deeply felt. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Dyehouse’s family and friends,” Legacy Medical Group wrote. “We are currently working through a transition plan to provide care for all of his patients.”
