The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wife of tragic diver pays tribute after accident
Photographer had been diving in Firth of Clyde when he got into difficulties
The wife of a talented Scots photographer who died following a diving accident has paid tribute to her soul mate.
Gavin Anderson was diving in the Firth of Clyde on April 11 when he got into difficulties.
A crew from the Argyll Ferries vessel Ali Cat diverted from a sailing between Dunoon to Gourock to help in the rescue operation.
Helensburgh lifeboat service also joined in and a helicopter was scrambled from Prestwick after receiving emergency calls.
A paramedic was lowered to the ferry from the aircraft and desperately tried to resuscitate him while the boat was brought ashore.
The award-winning photojournalist, from Leslie in Fife, was rushed to Inverclyde Royal Hospital but died a short time later.
He leaves behind wife Jenny, son Josh and stepsons Arthur and Tom.
Police Scotland is looking into the circumstances surrounding the 53-yearold’s death and his loved ones hope it will bring them some closure. Jenny said she believes the photographer saved her after battles with mental health.
The 50-year-old said: “We met through his photography. He took a portrait of my son’s cat who we were quickly having to rehome because she was bit distressed.
“I came to help him in the office for a bit and we were just good friends. I was suffering from severe bipolar and he kind of rescued me.
“We got together in 2012 and we married two years ago.”
The couple, who worked together in Milnathort, enjoyed a dream trip to Cape Town in South Africa earlier this year, where they had a memorable encounter with an elephant.
Jenny explained: “He was very fond of Africa. He had spent a year there when he first started his photography.
“We went to a safari park and we had a run-in with an elephant because he was trying to get too close to take a photograph.
“It reversed out of a bush and decided to investigate our windscreen wipers with his trunk and then tried to push us away with his tusks.
“He was cheeky, cheerful, energetic, enthusiastic and interested in people. He wore his heart on his sleeve
“There are so many good memories. He also inherited a cottage up in Kincraig that he ran as a holiday let that occasionally we got to go stay there. It’s very special.
“He was cheeky, cheerful, energetic, enthusiastic and interested in people. He wore his heart on his sleeve and people responded to him.
“He grew up skiing in Glenshee and was a keen tennis and squash player but diving was very much the love of his life.
“We went on our honeymoon to Cozumel Island where I learnt how to dive to try and understand his fascination with it.
“We dived together three or four times but I was always quite cautious and was usually with a dive instructor.
“He lived life on the edge and will be so missed. I just hope it was something medical and not an equipment problem or something avoidable.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said inquiries into the incident are ongoing, adding: “Emergency services attended and the man was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital where he died shortly after. Inquiries are continuing.”
svesty@thecourier.co.uk