Lost camera reveals divers' survival snaps

From ABC News

A camera which was lost on the ocean floor for almost four years has been found with its dramatic images still intact.

The camera contained rescue shots of two men who became lost at sea off the New South Wales north coast when the anchor rope on their dive boat snapped.

The pair were picked up safely several hours later, but the boat then capsized while crossing the Wooli Bar.

The story has become part of local folklore. A regular visitor to the area, Lismore man Steve Campbell, says it meant he had a fair idea what he had found in the sand at Wooli in August.

"I could see a part of it above the surface," he said.

"There was a dive camera and when I looked at it the penny dropped and I thought 'ah that boat, about four years ago that went over at the bar'.

"So I sort of thought in the back of my mind that's what it could be."

Mr Campbell says the camera's owner was thrilled to have it returned.

"Obviously the fear of coming up to the surface, the boat gone, three hours in the open sea, the anxiety," he said

"Some of the photos he said 'we were taking and thinking well maybe the kids might find it or something, maybe there will be a record one day,' thinking the worst.

"But he was just delighted that someone found it and obviously it was intact which was pretty amazing."

Photo Peter Trayhurn

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