Scuba Diver Reportedly Drowns In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man in his 70s reportedly drowned in a scuba diving accident in Mission Bay Sunday.

San Diego lifeguards received a call around 9 a.m. about a person missing in the water in the area around Mission Point, Fox5 reported.

San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Rick Romero told the station that a dive group was supposed to meet the man in the water but couldn't find him. Lifeguards started searching the water and a helicopter and boats also patrolled the area.

One of the lifeguards with a snorkel spotted something, Romero said, and a first responder got into scuba gear to get a closer look. About 15 or 20 feet in the water, the lifeguard found the missing man and brought him to the surface. He had been underwater for close to two hours, Romero estimated.

Lifeguards did their "best job to give someone a fighting chance," Romero told the station, giving the man CPR on the docks until paramedics arrived and took over attempts to revive him, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

San Diego lifeguard officials declined to comment on the report when reached by City News Service.

—City News Service