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Sunset over the Whitsundays in Queensland

A 23-year-old Irish traveller has drowned during an introductory scuba diving trip off Langford Island, in the Whitsundays.

National University of Ireland graduate Elaine Morrow, who was three months into her Australian travels, did not surface from the dive on Monday, which was two days into a three-day trip aboard the boat Summertime, operated by Whitsundays Sailing Adventures.

The Irishwoman, who was on a year-long Australian working holiday visa, had only recently started travelling to Byron Bay, Fraser Island and further into Queensland, after working in a Bondi cafe.

Former colleagues told the Sydney Morning Herald that Elaine was a “bubbly person, always in a good mood”.

Sergeant Graeme Pettigrew of Whitsundays Water Police said initial investigations suggested the woman had become separated from the group and failed to resurface with the other divers.

He added: “The person involved was on a resort – introductory – dive. She was not an experienced diver.”

Members of the dive group performed CPR on the boat after pulling her body from the ocean floor. Elaine, from Ballintra in County Donegal, was taken to Hayman Island Medical Centre but could not be resuscitated.

In a statement, Whitsundays Sailing Adventures said: “All of our tours are operated to the highest safety standards. The operator involved carried out all emergency procedures including CPR, but unfortunately the young lady could not be revived. Whitsundays Sailing Adventures and the vessel operator are currently working with the appropriate authorities in regards to this incident. Our condolences go out to the family and friends, and counselling support is being given to the other guests and crew of the vessel.”

A postmortem investigation is being carried out to determine why Elaine drowned. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au