BY Sheffield Telegraph,

A DIVER from South Yorkshire is feared dead after failing to resurface from a dive in Scotland.

Dad-of-four Neil Rodgers, aged 40, was last seen on Sunday while on a diving trip with the Doncaster Sub Aqua Club off the western coast of Scotland.

Mr Rodgers, from Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, entered the water in the Sound of Mull to examine the wreckage of a ship called the Rondo around at 12.40pm on Sunday.

He was reported as 'overdue' at around 1.30pm but extensive searches of the area by Strathclyde Police, the Greenock coastguard and local ships have failed to find him.

Police believe he is lost at sea and have confirmed he is feared dead.

Married Mr Rodgers, an alarm engineer, has five years' experience of diving. He has three sons aged 13, 12 and 10, and an eight-year-old daughter.

In a statement released by South Yorkshire Police, his family said they were "traumatised" by the news.

"We are traumatised and shocked by the news of Neil's disappearance and ask to be left alone at this difficult time," they said.

Linda Lawcock, chair of Doncaster Sub Aqua Club, said the whole club was shocked by the incident.

"The officers and members of Doncaster SAC, a branch of the British Sub Aqua Club, wish to express their sincere condolences and support to the family and friends of one of our members, Neil Rodgers, who is reported missing, presumed dead, following a dive on the wreck of the Rondo, Sound of Mull on Sunday," she said.

"Neil failed to surface safely from the dive and, after extensive air, sea and shoreline searches were conducted throughout Sunday and Monday, the diver is presumed lost.

"Neil was a long standing and enthusiastic member of the diving club and was well-liked and will be sadly missed by all members of the club.

"The police and the procurator fiscal are undertaking an investigation.

"All members of Doncaster SAC are shocked by this incident and their thoughts are with the family and friends of Neil at this difficult time."

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