Last week, the cave diving community mourned the loss of a dedicated explorer, Brett Hemphill from Dade City. He was on an expedition with the Karst Underwater Research Group in Phantom Springs Cave, located in west Texas, on October 4th.
This cave is known to be one of the deepest systems in the United States. The team had been exploring it since 2012 and were eager to venture into a new section of the cave.
As reported on the Karst Underwater Research Facebook page, Brett Hemphill was diving alongside Andy Pitkin. They were investigating a passage deeper into the cave, starting at a depth of 450 feet and approximately 7,300 feet from the entrance.
The update from KUR mentioned that there’s footage of Brett securing the guideline towards the exit before he became separated. Despite Andy’s extensive search efforts, he eventually had to surface, hoping that Brett had already made it out.
Regrettably, Brett did not resurface. His body was found four days later, following an extensive search and carefully planned retrieval operation.
This recovery effort involved numerous dives with specialized recovery divers who traveled great distances to assist.
Andy Pitkin added in a follow-up post, “When we have all the information and have analyzed it, we will issue a statement.”
Brett Hemphill, the co-founder and President of the Karst Underwater Research group, dedicated himself to discovering and mapping previously uncharted areas within the underground aquifer.
Although cave diving started as a personal interest, Brett mentioned in a prior interview with WFLA’s Amanda Holly that his drive for exploration evolved over time.
It transformed from an initial adrenaline rush to a sense of responsibility, motivating him to advocate for the preservation of our springs and aquifer.
Brett’s enthusiasm was infectious when he spoke about his diving endeavors. He had a genuine passion for his work and took pleasure in sharing his discoveries from the underground caves.
He ventured into numerous caves worldwide, both above and below the water’s surface. He often emphasized the idea that “the river continues” beneath our very feet.
