James Rigg and Andrew Schneller, both 22 and former members of the ASU swim team, sneaked into the Mona Plummer Aquatic Complex in Tempe about 1:30 a.m. Monday by hopping a fence surrounding the complex.

ASU Police Commander James Hardina tells New Times that Rigg and Schneller then had a contest to see which of them could swim the farthest under water.

"When Scheneller came up he noticed Rigg was not swimming," Hardina says. "He thought Rigg got out of the pool and was hiding so he got out and looked around for him. Then, he noticed his friend had sunk to the bottom of the pool."

Hardina also points out that the pool is 18 feet deep and no lights were on.

Once he noticed Rigg on the bottom, Schneller pulled him out of the water and started giving him CPR before calling 9-1-1.

Rigg was taken to Tempe St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 3 a.m.

Hardina says no foul play is suspected -- the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death to be an accidental drowning. However, the case is still open.

Schneller was cited for trespassing.

We've requested the official police report and will let you know if anything jumps out at us.

Submitted on 10/24/2011

Submitted by: Sara Watts
Reference: Phoenix New Times Oct 13, 2011

Copyright © 2011 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Given these guys were swimmers AND apparently drunk at the time I think this is worthy of a DA. Thanks, Sara!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
This falls under the 'they had more reason then most to know better'. Thanks Sara!

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