In Reply to: 4 ab divers die in 5 days posted by Eric S on May 02, 2007 at 15:30:19:

4/19/2007

An abalone diver drowned Thursday morning in the vicinity of Point Arena, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

A helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay was called to the scene at approximately 8 a.m. to assist local agencies with a diver in distress, the release stated.

Several people diving for abalone along the shoreline lost sight of one of the divers, an unidentified man, who had moved into a ravine approximately 70 feet deeper than the surrounding area, according to the release.

While en route, the release stated, the helicopter crew was notified that the man had died and that rescuers along the shoreline risked entrapment on the beach from the rising tide.

The Coast Guard lowered a rescue swimmer to the beach and recovered the man’s body, the release stated. The rescue swimmer and one firefighter who had remained behind to assist the Coast Guard were then hoisted to safety.

The other rescuers were able to climb off the beach.

• Eureka Reporter