Death on 'Bering Sea Gold': Tragedy that haunted The Edge
NOME, ALASKA: Few people possess the skills necessary to work as dredgers like the cast members of 'Bering Sea Gold'. The reality show tracks dredgers as they sift through the Bering Sea's bottom sediment for valuable metal.
It takes persistence and an in-depth understanding of mining, diving, and heavy machinery operations. Every scenario needs to be planned for by the dredgers and their team.
Even though it feels good to discover gold at the conclusion of a Herculean work, attempts might occasionally come up short. The most difficult aspect of the entire experience, though, is leaving civilization behind and facing the hostile wilderness and unrestricted waters.
Because of this, dredging is a tremendously risky job that not everyone is suited for. John Bunce, 26, died when the show was running its second season, which was tragic.
Who was John Bunce on 'Bering Sea Gold'?
John worked as a diver aboard The Edge, Zeke Tenhoff's dredging vessel. John was Zeke's close buddy, even though he did not appear much on the show.
The terrible loss also affected The Edge's members. John was well-known for his passion for learning and exploration.
The nimble and fit member of The Edge was also a professional truck driver, a HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) worker, a licensed and qualified diver, and had received boating safety training.
How did 'Bering Sea Gold' star John Bunce die?
It is important to note that John Bunce killed himself. When the Nome Police Department received a report of a death at a residence on First Street on September 1, 2012, it was discovered that the deceased was John.
He died from a gunshot wound that he inflicted on himself, although the postmortem results were not disclosed at the time. The television show made it clear that John had died by suicide before the second season ended.
According to sources, the ashes of the former cast member were dispersed off the southern shore of the Seward Peninsula in Norton Sound in the Bering Sea.
Bering Sea Gold's Dave and George Young lost their younger brother while mining
Although John did not pass away while working, deaths in this line of work are not unusual. When their brother Scott passed away while extracting gold from the sea some years ago, the cast members Dave and George Young felt the sorrow firsthand.
It's crucial to remember that Scott never took part in 'Bering Sea Gold'.
'Bering Sea Gold' Season 18 premieres Friday, August 16 at 9 pm on Discovery!