Tributes to Bolton man who was killed in Malta diving tragedy

Anthony Thompson, from Deane, died at 64 after “finding himself in difficulty” while diving off the coast of the island, reports MaltaToday.

They said the incident happened at around 3.30pm on Friday and despite being rushed to hospital, doctors were unable to save him.

Anthony’s younger brother, Geoff Thompson, said it was “shocking” to learn of the dad-of-four’s death and he “will be sorely missed”.

Geoff (left) and Anthony Thompson (right) (Image: Geoff Thompson)

Geoff, 62, said: “He died doing what he loved and that’s what I take solace in – everybody is shocked, it’s terrible.

“He’s just going to be sorely missed – he was a well-known character in Bolton.”

Anthony, who worked as a truck driver, was living in Wales and had taken up diving a few years ago.

He had also served in the Royal Navy during the Falklands War.

Geoff said they didn’t know Anthony was in Malta until the police knocked on his brother’s door on Saturday morning to tell the family of his death.

Anthony Thompson (Image: Geoff Thompson)

Geoff said: “He was my big brother and he’s from a big family – there’s seven of us, five boys and two girls.

“If you just look at my Facebook post you can see from the comments how many people are devastated by it.”

MaltaToday reported that police investigations are ongoing and a magisterial inquiry has been opened by magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia.

It stated that 64-year-old man lost his life after finding himself in difficulty while diving at Wied iż-Żurrieq.

The area is said to be very popular with visitors for the Blue Grotto caves, and with scuba divers for Um El Faround wreck, a 110m Um El Faroud wreck, a 110-metres long Libyan tanker.