On Monday, April 30, 2007, Thomas Summers III, co-owner and manager of "Cave Without a Name," a popular tourist attraction between Austin and San Antonio, TX, found this out the hard way.

There had been heavy rains all winter and spring and the water level in the far reaches of the cavern was getting high. High enough that Summers was starting to worry whether or not it would affect the tourist trade (as well as the weddings, art exhibits and other events which Summers sponsored in the Cave Without a Name).

He decided to see if an adjoining cave, Deadman's Cave (so named because a skeleton had been found there in the mid-80s), had a blockage which was affecting the flow of underground water into the tourist cavern.

And so, in the afternoon of Monday, 4/30/2007, Thomas Summers - accompanied by Brent Holbert, one of his tour guides - went into the adjoining Deadman's Cave to look for the suspected blockage...

Shortly after Summers entered the water, Holbert heard a "a sputtering sound" and went for assistance. The rescue team had to use pumps to lower the water level in the cave so that Summers' body could be safely be recovered.

As all divers (and most cavers) know, cave diving is an extremely hazardous undertaking. While Summers may have been an experienced caver, by all reports, he was not an experienced diver. Not only that, he dove into a flooded cave without a dive buddy and without a safety rope.

Therefore, I submit Thomas Summers III as a Darwin Awards nominee for having exhibited terminal stupidity above and beyond his level of expertise!

See also

for background.

Submitted on 05/02/2007

Submitted by: Coyote Jack
Reference: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4767670.html

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Graham said:
Definitely Toss: Lacks Excellence
This is an interesting story. I stumbled upon this cave (by accident) many years ago, before it was even known to the public. The then-owners gave me a personal tour and I photographed it on a two-hour trip. It's an amazing place. Sad to hear the owner has passed through a tragic accident. Thanks Coyote, but this is just an accident.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I entirely beg to differ! Apparently, the victim (as co-owner of a "tourist attraction") approached this "problem" as if he were dealing with a broken-down amusement park ride or a large, public swimming pool! As an "owner" of one of nature's more dangerous features, he should have known better and could at least have hired someone with cave diving experience. People have to stop treating nature as if it were Disneyland! Good enough for a DA! Thanks, Jack!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I agree with James. Even spelunking is to be done with a buddy. To dive in a cave without proper training and without proper safety precautions is beyond the normal foolheartness expected of the human race. Give the gentleman an award. Thanks Jack.

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