A scuba diving instructor who had finally settled on a happy life in Mexico has died in a tragic accident, his family have said.
Bledd James, who hails from Trimsaran, died during the incident in the north American country where he has lived for the past two years.
The 38-year-old had settled down to a lifestyle which he embraced, according to one of his three brothers.
Neil James said: “It feels like half of me has gone. Bledd definitely had a happy life in Mexico. He used to be fearful of the ocean but had conquered that to become a scuba diving instructor, and had definitely found a happy place.
“He was living in the jungle, and he loved his only son Kai very much, he was a proper family man.
“They would go diving together and do motor cross. He was a real character, who loved travel and enjoyed going out.
“He was kind hearted and a true gentleman. He was my brother”.
Mr James family are flying out to Mexico for his cremation later this week.
But friends have begun fundraising to meet any international funeral costs, with any surplus being put into a trust fund for his son Kai.
Neil James added: “There has been a huge response to the fund-raising already, and it has passed its initial target, which I think shows the high regard that Bledd was held in.
“But any excess will be put into a trust for Kai. If he wants to follow his father’s dream of diving he can, but it is his decision.
“It is about creating a memorial for Bledd”.
