Nottingham Man Drowned In Aberdeen Proving Ground Super Pond

Officials on Friday identified a Nottingham man as the diver who died Wednesday during an underwater test at the Super Pond test facility on Aberdeen Proving Ground.

George H. Lazzaro Jr., 41, of Notingham, died while performing "routine underwater test infrastructure maintenence at the Underwater Test Facility," according to an APG news release.

The cause of death was not immediately known and an autopsy is pending. The U.S. Army is investigating the incident, the release stated.

Lazzaro worked with the Firepower Directorate, Aberdeen Test Center, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, according to the release.

"Aberdeen Test Center personnel are saddened by the loss of one of our own.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and we mourn with them during
this tragic loss," Col. Gordon L. Graham, ATC commander, said in the release.

The incident took place around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

   » Read the initial report here.

According to the release, "The family asks for privacy at this time as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, and friend."

The pond has been used for testing since 1995, according to the release.

Graham ordered an immediate safety stand down, which calls for safety reviews, the release stated.

Read more Aberdeen Proving Ground news here.