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06 Sept 2025

Daughter plans tribute to diver dad after after tragedy 40 years ago

Sarah Price wants to mark 40 years since loosing her father in Brixham with a 40km swim

Daughter plans tribute to diver dad after after tragedy 40 years ago

Reporter:

Jim Parker

11 Apr 2024 8:00 AM

The daughter of a diver lost at sea off Brixham 40 years ago wants to mark the anniversary of his death with a special awareness and fund-raising event.
Sarah Price, from Worcester, was on holiday with her family, including dad Dave Dearing, when tragedy struck.
She remembers: "It was Easter Saturday in 1984. We were on holiday with the Worcester Dive club. My dad was only 39. He went diving on the Saturday morning at Berry Head with his dive team. He went on the dive and came up after and gave the thumbs up to say all was OK. However, he went down as the other divers turned to help him on the boat.
"The RNLI and police all searched for him but he couldn't be found. Local authorities had to try and find us as nobody knew which campsite we were on."
She added: "The local authorities and everyone involved were amazing. I obviously only know this through my mum as I was only 11 and my sister was nine.."
It wasn't until five years later that a fishing boat found Mr Dearing's body in Brixham. 
Sarah says: "I never knew who they were. I appreciate now how awful this must have been for them. It's 40 years now. I wanted to thank everyone involved who helped in the search and supported us. I want to raise money for the RNLI by raising awareness.
"I would also like to say a big thank you to anyone else involved at the time and to the people who found him. As an adult I realise the support and pain it must have caused everyone involved. Although my dad could not be found the RNLI worked so hard to find him and the local authorities.
"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank them and to help much raise needed funds for this amazing charity."
Sarah is in training at the moment for a 40km swim with funds raised going to the RNLI.

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