Nigerian politician Ned Nwoko has described the death of his business partner and close friend, Hermish Harding, a passenger in the ill-fated Titan Submarine, as shocking and unfortunate.
Harding, a British businessman, explorer, and multiple-Guinness World Record holder, including one for the longest time spent traversing the deepest part of the ocean on a single dive, was one of the five people who died aboard the imploded submersible.
Mourning his friend, Senator Ned Nwoko revealed that he was invited to join the tour of the famous Titanic Ship wreckage.
He wrote: “I have lost a very dear friend and business partner. Captain Hermish Harding. We both went on a very dangerous expedition to the Southpole Antarctica few years back. He was a gulf stream pilot who flew across the world in a record-breaking expedition by Guinness World Record for circumnavigation of the earth some years ago.
“He descended into the Mariana. He also invited me on his space shuttle last year and this very Titan ill-fated adventure but I was tied down with national duties. Above all, he was a partner on the various research into eradication of malaria in Africa project. He was very enthusiastic about it and always gave his support at every given opportunity.”
Recalling his last message, Ned said: “His last message to me was this last Sunday when he told me they were ready to dive to the Titanic if the weather permits. He loved adventure and challenges. My heart bleeds for his dear wife and kids who have become family friends over the years. We will surely miss his wealth of experience.”
Late Harding, and his son, Giles, joined Nwoko during his January 2020 expedition to Antarctica alongside a team of scientists from Russia, India, China, the U.S., and the UK.
Hermish Harding, along with four others, lost their lives in the submarine. The casualties included OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son Suleman.
The diving tour company, OceanGate, charged $250,000 per passenger for the trip to the historic Titanic. The Titanic wreck is 3,810m (12,500ft) down.
