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Woman dies, husband hospitalized after Florida diving accident

MADEIRA BEACH, Fl. (WFLA) – A woman who fell unconscious during a diving mishap in Florida off the Gulf of Mexico has died.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office says that Blaise Gamba, 37, passed away on Sunday from injuries sustained in the accident. Gamba’s death comes a day after she and her husband, William, were found unresponsive at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday about five miles off Madeira Beach.

The couple had been transported to Palms of Pasadena Hospital. William Gamba was upgraded to stable condition the next day, officials stated.

According to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office report, Roger Olson and his wife were on their boat fishing when they were approached by a distressed man on a 22-foot Sea Fox boat.

William Gamba informed Olson that his wife, Blaise, had some sort of medical emergency and was unconscious. Olson boarded the Gamba’s vessel and used a radio to call for help.

The Good Samaritan drove the Sea Fox inland towards John’s Pass as Gamba performed CPR on his wife. Marine deputies and paramedics met up with the boat about half a mile from John’s Pass.

Shortly after they arrived, William had a medical emergency and lost consciousness. Deputies believe the couple’s injuries are related to diving. Both were wearing wet-suits and diving equipment was on their boat.