Off-duty BC Mountie dies during scuba dive

On Wednesday June 29, 2011, at approximately 11:45 am Cpl. Paul VOISINE was recreational scuba diving with 5 other divers at the artificial reef near Snake Island. He was off-duty at the time. During the dive Cpl. VOISINE was located unconscious on the deck of the sunken vessel, HMCS Saskatchewan. Immediate efforts were undertaken to assist Cpl. VOISINE with his breathing. After being transferred to the surface first aid was administered. Cpl. VOISINE never regained consciousness despite numerous attempts by emergency personnel to revive him. An autopsy has been scheduled.

Cpl. VOISINE was a well respected member of the RCMP for over 30 years where he spent many years working at various detachments in the Kootenays. In recent years, he transferred to Parksville Detachment and then to the Nanaimo Detachment, where he was serving at the time of his death.

Superintendent Norm McPhail, the Officer in Charge of the Nanaimo RCMP, states, “Paul’s death has come as a shock to the Nanaimo Detachment, and our extended RCMP family. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Paul’s wife and family, and all those who knew him, in the many communities he proudly served as a member of the RCMP. I will ensure that Paul’s family, and the staff of our Detachment, receive all the support they need, to cope with their loss, in the days and weeks to come".