'Unsuitable' equipment led to coast diver's death - inquest

Imrich Magyer went missing on 28 November this year off the Gwynedd coast

A scuba diver died off the coast of Gwynedd when his breathing mouthpiece probably became detached from his air supply, an inquest has heard.

Imrich Magyer, 53, disappeared in late November 2024 while diving alone, and was found about 10 days later on the coast of the Llŷn Peninsula, close to where he was last seen.

The hearing was told that his equipment was "unsuitable for British waters" and had been repaired with cable ties.

The inquest in Caernarfon recorded a conclusion of misadventure.

Mr Magyer was originally from Slovakia, but was living near Warrington, Cheshire, and working as an HR assistant.

His family told the hearing that his hobbies included underwater photography and diving.

'Quite dangerous'

On 27 November 2024, he parked his car at Porth Ysgaden near Tudweiliog, on the north side of the Llŷn Peninsula, and was seen alone wearing a wetsuit preparing to go diving.

The alarm was raised when diving apparatus was spotted upside down in the water soon afterwards.

But the inquest heard evidence from Brian Rodgers, a Home Office pathologist who is also a qualified scuba diver, that there were concerns about some of Mr Magyer's diving kit.

"This particular design of equipment is unsuitable for diving in British waters," Dr Rodgers said. "It's actually quite dangerous.

"The mouthpiece can be dislodged from the air supply by sea currents, wave action, even the wake from a passing boat.

"That's almost certainly what happened here."

Dr Rodgers added that the mouthpiece of Mr Magyer's equipment was "held on with cable ties and builder's mastic".

Coroner Sarah Riley noted that Mr Magyer had been diving alone, rather than with a buddy as is recommended, and did not have a backup air supply.

She recorded a conclusion of misadventure, saying he had drowned following the loss of his air supply.