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Diver found trapped in kelp dies | beach, kelp, laguna - News - The Orange County Register
LAGUNA BEACH A San Clemente diver was declared dead Thursday night shortly after rescuers found him tangled in kelp and without a pulse in the ocean off Laguna Beach.
Authorities have not identified the man, who is believed to be in his 40s. He had gotten off work early on Thursday and told a friend that he was going to spearfish in Divers Cove, Laguna Beach Chief of Marine Safety Kevin Snow said.
The man's family grew worried when he hadn't returned by 5:30 p.m. Family members went searching for him and found his car parked at Divers Cove with his free-diving equipment missing, Orange County Sheriff's Department Lt. Lloyd Downing said.
Night-diving experts from Laguna Beach lifeguards searched the water, aided by Harbor Patrol vessels and a Sheriff's Department helicopter. A Harbor Patrol boat found the man tangled in kelp about 200 yards from shore just before 10:30 p.m., Snow said.
The man was in cardiac arrest when he was found. Rescuers performed CPR in the boat and on land before taking him to Mission Hospital, where he was declared dead.