Yesterday being the 6th of January 2011 at approximately 1pm, a 58-year-old female Russian tourist died during a guided dive trip in the Marlborough Sounds.

A group of seven Russian divers accompanied by five diving staff went out with the intention of diving on the wreck of the Mikhal Lermantov, a sunken Russian Cruise Ship in Port Gore.

The women entered the water to dive the wreck, however shortly afterwards returned to the boat for unknown reasons and died on board.

The cause of the woman's death is unclear and the matter is being referred to the Coroner. A Post mortem is planned for Monday the 10th January in Christchurch.

The women is said to be an experienced diver and a member of a Russian dive club which is currently touring New Zealand diving various sites.

Next of kin for the women and overseas agencies are still being contacted to formalise the woman's identification.

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