Wow, bad times.
That's like what happened to my friends and I here. Shortly after we graduated, a little over one week, I found out that my friend Glenn Anderson died.
My friend Shaggy called me and he told me that Glenn and his older brother died while cave diving. They were hiking on a trail up in the hills, and came across a flooded mine. They've done this stuff before, it's safe to say they're seasoned veterans. Apparently, though, the water was extremely stagnant and had very low oxygen content. We found out later that they couldn't find their way out and drowned.
It was really sad. I remember sitting at a table with him at senior brunch at the Elks Lodge just talking about whatever, and him and Shaggy planning on surfing during the summer. Bad times.
Rally Co-Driver In Training
...Opens 80, narrows 4 left minus tightens, into 5 right, opens 30, 5 right keep in into hairpin left, 4 plus 30, sharp 5 left into crest 20, opens 5 half long over crest...

This is from the OC Register online archives that i have access to.

The Orange County Register

June 29, 2002
Music, tears for loved brothers // Funeral - Almost 700 people pay tribute to Nick and Glenn Anderson, who died in an abandoned mine.

Author: ERIC CARPENTER

Edition: 1
Section: Local
Page: E
Dateline: SANTA ANA



Estimated printed pages: 3

Article Text:
SANTA ANA

Matt Murphy, 17, grabbed his guitar, fought back tears and paid tribute to his friends, Nick and Glenn Anderson, in a way he knew they'd appreciate -- with music.

He stood in front of nearly 700 mourners gathered at Calvary Church in Santa Ana and strummed intensely. His voice cracked with emotion as he sang, ``I want to go to paradise; I want to go home.''

The lyrics came from a song Glenn Anderson, 18, penned two weeks before his death, Murphy said. Those who eulogized Nick and Glenn said they're confident the brothers have discovered a new paradise in heaven.

``I want to cry, but I don't cry because I know they are ok,'' said their cousin, Chris Carter, 24. ``I cry more for the people they loved. The people left behind.''

Glenn Anderson and his brother, Nick, 23, died Sunday while exploring an abandoned, flooded mine in Silverado Canyon.

Murphy, who was in the Blue Light Mine with them, saw them dive underwater to find an opening in the mineshaft. That was the last time he saw them. He alerted authorities and the brothers' bodies were discovered by sheriff's divers a day later.

On Friday, family members and friends packed Calvary Church to celebrate the Anderson brothers' lives in a two-hour memorial service filled with tears and laughter, as friends told stories about the brothers' adventurous spirits and enthusiasm.

Some of the mourners wore black, but just as many wore colorful surf shirts and sandals. The brothers were avid surfers who rode the waves of Newport and Huntington beaches every chance they got. Hawaiian leis adorned two large photos of the brothers at the front of the church.

``Every day, they wrestled and beat the pulp out of each other,'' said Cookie Evans, the brothers' aunt.

She said they were ``crazy, wild and adventurous.''

They loved to explore in the desert, race on Jet Skis, snow ski with wild abandon and shred the waves on their surfboards. She recalled when Nick learned to ski.

``He didn't care what jump he went off,'' Evans said. ``He'd fall down, his pants would fall down, he'd grab his skis and he'd be laughing and giggling the whole time.

``He enjoyed his life the whole time.''

Carter said his cousins considered the world their playground.

``They lived life for all it's worth,'' he said. ``Nick and Glenn wouldn't expect anything else but for us to live it up like they did.''

Current and former students from El Modena High School in Orange, where Nick and Glenn graduated in 1997 and 2002 respectively, recalled how the brothers had a knack for making people smile. Glenn used to perform a Britney Spears-style dance that prompted uncontrollable laughter.

``It's sad to see them go, but I feel so lucky to have had the time with them that I had,'' Carter said. ``I truly discovered what love is.''

The brothers' mom, Terry Kling, said after the service that she was glad to hear the laughter and celebration of her sons' lives. She was heartened by the number of people who came to pay respects.

``I'm amazed by the support and love,'' she said. ``I never could have known how many lives were touched by Nick and Glenn's love.''

Family members said they hope the tragedy will educate others about the dangers of exploring inside the nearly 47,000 abandoned mines that dot California's landscape. Murphy plans to lead a group of friends up to the Blue Light Mine today to post a warning, and to leave a memorial.
Rally Co-Driver In Training
...Opens 80, narrows 4 left minus tightens, into 5 right, opens 30, 5 right keep in into hairpin left, 4 plus 30, sharp 5 left into crest 20, opens 5 half long over crest...

This seems like some sort of story they would bring up in health class to "take matters seriously." Its so sad that when i hear those stories, i knwo they are true and happen to many people who should not have it happen.
I offer my deepest sympathies and wish you the strongest recovery.