Congresswoman's ( Rep. Jan Schakowsky) son-in-law dies snorkeling

[sabra]

Source: Chicago Trib

The son-in-law of U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) died Sunday in a snorkeling accident as he vacationed in Mexico with his family, her office and family said.

Michael McLaughlin, 38, was with Schakowsky and other family members near Tulum, Mexico, at the beginning of a weeklong vacation, Schakowsky's husband Robert Creamer said.

McLaughlin was married to Lauren, 35, who is the daughter of Schakowsky's husband and his previous wife Day Piercy, who lives in New York.

...

In a phone interview from Mexico, Creamer said McLaughlin was an experienced snorkler and diver who liked to snorkle alone. a coroner's report said he had aspirated in his mask and died of asphixiation, he said.

McLaughlin was cremated, following his own request, Creamer said.

Read more: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/08/congresswomans-son-in-law-dies-snorkeling.html

[babylonsister]

1. Oh, how young and how sad. nt

[madaboutharry]

2. How terrible.

What an awful thing to happen.

[pokercat999]

3. There was going to be more to that story. An experienced

diver doesn't aspirate into his mask for the fun of it and could clear the mask before he dies of asphyxiation. If he were cremated without an autopsy any evidence of alcohol or other substance would be kinda gone.

Still too young to go no matter the cause.

[closeupready]

4. What does it mean to "aspirate" in one's mask? To vomit?

Sorry, I'm not familiar with that term.

[MidwestTransplant]

5. That would be my guess?

[Rebubula]

8. Yeah...

...I imagine that would be the case if they did a thorough autopsy.

One does not simply die snorkeling...at least most people do not.

[WriteDown]

6. Liked to snorkel alone?

Wow, very bad idea.

[brendan120678]

7. Not a very smart idea, that's for sure....

No water activity should be done without someone else somewhere within earshot or eyesight.

Still, prayers and thoughts with his family.

[TheCoxwain]

9. Some of these snorkeling products are dangerous ...they are designed with a float to keep the water

out of your mouth ..


but sometimes they even keep they air out as well.

This happened to me once ... the valve got stuck and I couldn't breathe ... Panic set it in ...but luckily I managed to thrash my hands and get to a firm object ...

very very scary...