Snorkeller died in the sea ‘holding his breath’
A TEENAGE snorkeller from Solihull died while testing his ability to hold his breath underwater, an inquest heard.
Solihull School student Oscar Montgomery, an experienced snorkeller and spearfisherman, had travelled to Church Ope Cove, in Portland, Dorset.
But he had not been in the water for some time due to Covid restrictions.
The 17-year-old, who had a “great passion for the water”, was last seen entering the sea at 9.30am on May 27, 2020.
When Oscar – described as being “adored by all those around him” – failed to return, it prompted a massive search, including two Royal Navy warships.
His body was recovered from the sea three weeks later on June 17, the inquest was told.
It was found a short distance from where he disappeared.
Senior Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin told the inquest that people with Oscar on the day he went missing said he was “trying to increase the time he could hold his breath”.
“I believe that his ability was impacted because he had not been in the water for some time due to Covid-19 restrictions and due to (an) injury he received playing rugby,” Ms Griffin said.
The coroner said he “perhaps went a little too far”, blacked out, and probably drowned.
She concluded his death was misadventure.
Oscar’s mum, Mary Montgomery, said her son’s death showed the “dangers of extreme breathholding without a buddy.”
On September 18, last year, Solihull School paid tribute to Oscar saying he was “an incredible young man in every respect.”
Posting to the school’s Facebook page, it said: “Remembering Oscar Montgomery on what would have been his 18th birthday.
“His legacy lives on through the Oscar Montgomery Environmental Foundation, a charity to raise awareness and support environmental projects and research activities.
“Oscar was an incredible young man in every respect.”