Inquest: Diver Emily Sherwin Likely Drowned in Vortex

Emily Sherwin, a 20-year-old marine conservation student from Poole, died after being caught in an underwater vortex while diving off Old Harry Rocks near Swanage, Dorset, on July 23, 2024. She and her dive buddy, Beth Pryor, became separated and disoriented at a depth of about 22 feet after being spun by the vortex. Despite Pryor's attempts to signal her and a large-scale search involving the Coastguard, RNLI, police, and local boaters, Sherwin's body was never recovered. The inquest could not confirm a formal cause of death due to the absence of a body but concluded she likely drowned after failing to return to the surface. Her family expressed heartbreak at the loss, gratitude for the search efforts, and comfort in knowing she was doing what she loved. The incident underscores the risks faced by divers and the dangers of unpredictable underwater currents.