Timothy Chu: Family tribute to Met constable killed while deep sea diving in Canada

The family of a Scotland Yard special constable and trainee lawyer found drowned two months after disappearing paid tribute today to an “exceptional and adventurous” man.

Timothy Chu, 27, was scuba diving off Vancouver Island, Canada, in July when he became separated from his dive master. His body was found caught on a fisherman’s anchor chain seven weeks later by coastguards who had resumed a sea search after more than 10,000 people signed an online petition.

The special constable, who had just graduated from law school, lived in Homerton with his brother Daniel Chu, a consultant for Deloitte. Daniel, 22, said: “Timothy was an intelligent and smart man who was never afraid to share his opinions. He was a young man with a bright future but I know the legacy he left through the people who cherished and cared for him. How he touched people was his biggest achievement in life.”

Timothy was visiting friends when he arranged the dive in a marine reserve on July 5 after paying for a dive master to go with him in waters notorious for their strong currents. His family believe he was assigned a “less experienced” guide.

He was last seen removing a weight belt after the pair became separated in the water. His Hong Kong-based family want Canadian authorities to tighten up diving rules to prevent further tragedies.

Daniel said: “Timothy very much enjoyed being a police officer. He was an adventurous guy who did his own thing. Maybe this was one adventure too far for him. But he was a man full of surprises.”

Timothy served in the Army after graduating from the London School of Economics in 2008. He was about to start working for HM Revenue and Customs after being accepted on to its sought-after training scheme.

His family — including father Ming, 63, mother Cinnie, 61, and brother Joshua, 30 — have called on the British Columbia coroner to hold an inquest.

They said in a statement: “Our intention is to promote constructive fact finding, rather than fault finding. We believe the findings and recommendations can shape legislation that will help prevent future tragedies.

“If others can be spared similar loss at least some good can come about. Raising these concerns and stimulating change in the diving industry would be a fitting legacy for Timothy.”

The Met said: “Timothy Chu served as a special constable since 2012.

“He was a very popular and very effective officer who wanted to give back to the community.”