Details released in Blue Spring State Park diver's death

ORANGE CITY, Fla. — More details have been released after a man was killed in a diving accident at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City on Wednesday.

Officials said the man, 36-year-old Samuel Slack, of New Smyrna Beach, was taken to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The victim's diving partner, 37-year-old Daniel Vansickle, also of New Smyrna Beach, was taken to Florida Hospital Orlando for treatment.

Authorities said Slack was diving 80 feet underwater when Vansickle saw him motioning that he had no air.

Vansickle, who has been diving for three years, gave Slack air from his own regulator, but he told deputies he had to pull away from Slack when Slack wouldn't release it.

Vansickle left his diving partner, surfaced and called to a maintenance worker for help.

Vansickle told deputies he descended back down 100 feet in an effort to save Slack.  He inflated a buoyancy compensator that helped float Slack to the surface.

Deputies said Vansickle and an employee tried to revive Slack and rescue crews performed CPR, but it wasn’t enough to save Slack.

Officials said Slack had only been diving for one year.

Detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Slack's death.

WFTV