A WOMAN who died while cave-diving in South Wales was simply doing something she loved, her husband said yesterday.

A WOMAN who died while cave diving in South Wales was simply doing something she loved, her husband said yesterday (Tuesday).

Bonnie Cotier, of Addington Walk in Eaton Socon, died just a week before her 53rd birthday.

It is believed the American, who had been living in the UK since June 2009, had become disorientated in a cave at Pwll-y-Cwm in Clydach Gorge where she was diving on April 23 with dive partner Martyn Farr, who has over 40 years experience of cave-diving.

Her body was recovered later that afternoon by one of the diving team after she failed to resurface. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Speaking to The Hunts Post Mr Farr said: “Bonnie was the most professional lady in everything she did, and a highly experienced cave diver who did everything as she was supposed to.

“It’s clear that she lost the [guide] line, but the mystery will always be what led to that sequence of events, which ultimately led to her tragic loss of life.”

Bonnie and her husband, Stephen Hubin, 42, both originally from Washington DC, began scuba diving in 1999 before moving on to cave-diving. They moved to Huntingdonshire for Mr Hubin’s work at RAF Molesworth.

Mr Hubin said: “Bonnie was aware of the risks, but you get to go places you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to go – and that’s why she did it. I know that right up to the end she was enjoying it. Right up until a few minutes before she got into trouble.”

He added: “Bonnie will be remembered as someone very active and interested in so many different things. There wasn’t much that she wouldn’t consider doing.”

As well as being a popular member of the cave-diving community, Bonnie ran her own design company, Golden Dog Corporate Communications, and was a member of Cambridge-based business networking group, Camcreative.

Paul Smith, who runs the group, said: “In the short time Bonnie was with us in Cambridge, she became a great supporter of the creative community and a friend to many of us.

“She was a true creative force and a source of great inspiration. Our thoughts are with Bonnie’s husband, Steve, and with her family.”

The group’s next meeting on Wednesday, May 25 will be dedicated to Bonnie.

Her friend Ann Hawkins, who had known Bonnie through her Huntingdonshire-based Inspired Group - a motivational resource for people who want to start up and build their own business - said: “Bonnie was amazingly full of life. Whenever she came into the room everybody wanted to talk to her.

“We will miss the honesty and straight-talking she brought to our meetings. She was very incisive and if she thought something should be approached in a different way she would say so.”

Friends and family are holding a church memorial to Bonnie in Washington on May 15.

INFORMATION: To join take part in the Camcreative meeting on May 25, visit www.meetup.com/camcreative