The Navy has identified the two Sailors who died Tuesday during a dive as Navy Diver 1st Class James Reyher, 28, of Caldwell, Ohio, and Navy Diver 2nd Class Ryan Harris, 23, of Gladstone, Missouri.
Both Sailors were from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, based at Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach.
Capt. John Coffey, Deputy Commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group Two, said in a Navy news release:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our teammates. Petty Officer Harris and Petty Officer Reyher were exceptional Sailors. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and shipmates during this difficult time.”
The incident took place at the pond at Aberdeen Proving Ground "Super Pond" in Maryland.
The Baltimore Times reports Maj. Gen. Genaro J. Dellarocco, commanding general of the United States Army Test and Evaluation Command, said in a statement regarding the Sailors' deaths:
"We are investigating the cause of this accident in coordination with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The Super Pond is currently closed for the investigation. The safety of all personnel working on APG and at the Super Pond is our number one priority."
This is the second fatal diving accident at Aberdeen Proving Ground Super Pond within the last month.
