A Carolina man is recovering after a freak diving accident while spear fishing on the Conecuh River Saturday.

William “Will” Allen Bumpers III, 27, and friends thought they would spend an enjoyable afternoon spear fishing on the river; however, that good time was cut short when Bumpers’ air hose became kinked, causing him to lose consciousness and nearly drown.

Chief Deputy David Anderson said deputies were dispatched to Harts Bridge Road at approximately 4 p.m.

“There, we met a boat carrying (Bumpers) who’d been a victim of a diving accident,” Anderson said. “(Bumpers) was spear fishing with friends when, according to witnesses, the air hose on the dive equipment malfunctioned.”

Family members reported that Bumpers was airlifted to a Dothan hospital where, as of press time, he remained in the intensive care unit; however, doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Anderson said while spear fishing is not a common practice on the river, many divers do enjoy using the method to hunt catfish in the area’s waterways.