A weekend rife with anticipation turned into one of sorrow and grief, as the KISS Rebreathers dive team exploring the Roaring River spring lost one of its members.
Eric Hahn, 27, of Blacksburg, Va., died in the water on Friday, possibly from the effects of oxygen toxicity due to a personal air tank with an improper mixture. He was recovered more than four hours later from more than 200 feet below the water’s surface.
We were first alerted of the incident on Friday morning, just before noon. Our hearts dropped.
I have only met the divers once, but Sheila Harris has been reporting monthly on their divers, and I am excited to read about their new accomplishments each month.
Saturday was intended to be a second record-breaking dive, descending even further than the 472 feet reached in November 2021.
Now, and somberly so, the explorations have ended for this year.
When Sheila alerted me of the news, I did something I don’t usually do as a journalist, but something I’ve learned is the Barry County way.
In the news business, there is always a pressure to be first, to break the news if possible.
On Friday, it was possible for me at noon to post simply that a diver had died. However, given the nature of the incident, and the fact at that time he was still submerged, I elected to wait.
Sheila was torn on how to handle the situation. This is a new one for both of us.
Having decided news coverage could wait, I told Sheila to go, but leave her pen and notepad. Having been there throughout the divers’ entire process at Roaring River, her place was to go as a friend, not as a reporter.
When she arrived, she learned the divers’ initial rescue efforts were unsuccessful, and the Highway Patrol and emergency services had been alerted.
The Patrol was waiting for another diver to recover Hahn, but by 4 p.m., the KISS team was approved to go back in and recover Hahn themselves.
I cannot imagine the pain that group was enduring Friday afternoon, and my heart goes out to Mike Young, KISS Rebreathers lead diver and CEO. No words or actions can truly soothe at a time like this, and I hope as each day passes, Hahn’s memory will live on through the divers and their future projects.
Because of the high emotion and our closeness to it, electing to wait until Saturday to post our story meant we would get beat.
At least two other news organizations had articles about the incident, and with questionable details, likely due to the speed of the reporting.
I thought we should hear directly from Mike — when he was ready to speak.
Our story came out a day later, and although we were not the first, I am 100 percent confident that, one, we have our facts in order, and two, we did right by the individuals involved in such a tragic incident.
The KISS team had one more dive weekend scheduled in November, but Mike said the team is done for the year.
As dispirit as that is, Mike made the right call. As much as we understand the weight of the situation, we hope the team can return next year and continue its work in Hahn’s memory.
According to Sheila, that’s what his family said he would have wanted. Maybe it will help all find some peace.
Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014. In 2017, he was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers, and in 2022, he won a Golden Dozen Award from ISWINE. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cherryroad.com.
