Diver dies after getting caught in rocks.

[Myrran]

LAGUNA BEACH – A scuba diver died Sunday afternoon after he became stuck in rocks off the Laguna Beach coast, officials said.

Kenny Lee, 41, was scuba diving with a friend when he became tangled underneath the waters, said Sgt. Louise Callus of the Laguna Beach Police Department.
The friend tried to help free his friend off the rocks in an area nicknamed Giggle Crack,
and then called for help from lifeguards when he was unable to, Callus said.

Giggle Crack is a rocky area near Diver's Cove frequented by divers, Callus said.

The two friends had gone diving in Diver's Cove on Sunday afternoon, but Lee became stuck in the rocks at about 2:30 p.m. While he was stuck, Lee's breathing equipment began to malfunction, Callus said.

Whether the equipment malfunctioned because of the rocks or while he was trying to free himself is unknown, Callus said.

Lee, of Irvine, was taken to Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, where he was pronounced dead an hour later.

Lee was identified by the coroner's department.

 

[fnfalman]

Damn, drowning is a hell of a way to go. I would not wish it on anybody, not even my enemies.

Wonder how did he get stuck in the rocks?

 

[Dracunos]

Drowning does suck.. There are worse ways to go, though I still wouldn't choose drowning. But the pain for him is over, I think. I wish the family the best of luck and support in getting past this.

 

[=C=]

Appears he was a SB member.

So very sad. Condolences.

how did you figure that out?

 

[Rainer]

It's an assumption based on the same name and profile details:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/5453916-post48.html

 

[Blue Sparkle]

If you search members by "kenny lee", there is a Kenny Lee in California listed.

 

[ligersandtions]

Very sad, indeed. Assuming the Kenny Lee that Rainer mentioned is the Kenny Lee in the news story, he had planned to join us for an event next month. It's unfortunate that that never happened and I never got to meet / dive with him.

Condolences to the family and friends.

 

[fnfalman]

SB's Kenny Lee's last activity was around 12 PM yesterday.

I hope that it's not this Kenny Lee.

 

[Rainer]

Seems unlikely there are two divers from Irvine that both usually dive Laguna with that same name.

The SB profile states:

"Last Activity: Yesterday 01:29 PM"

That's about an hour before the diver was reported stuck.

Either way, again, deepest condolences to friends and family.

 

[Jax]

Diver Dies in Laguna?s Giggle Crack | www.lagunabeachindependent.com | Laguna Beach Independent

Diver Dies in Laguna’s Giggle Crack
By Andrea Adelson | LB Indy Sep 10, 2010 This date appeared on the site, but is incorrect.

A 41-year-old diver died this past Sunday after he disappeared in pounding surf in a treacherous inlet, Laguna Beach’s notorious Giggle Crack, police reported today.

Kenny Lee, of Irvine, was extricated and brought to shore by lifeguards, who attempted to revive him with CPR, police Sgt. Louis Callus said in a statement. Lee was pronounced dead after being transported to Saddleback Memorial Hospital in Laguna Hills.

Lee’s friend and diving partner reported him missing at 2:46 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12. They had been diving at a reef near Fisherman’s Cove, according to police. On the return swim, they both passed an opening in the rocks known as the Giggle Crack. The pounding surf pushed them into the rocks and Lee disappeared. His friend freed himself and unsuccessfully tried to extricate Lee, the statement said.

On Mother’s Day in 1998, a mother and her boyfriend were also swept to their death in the Giggle Crack when waves washed over the rock where they were standing with a 6-year-old girl. Only the girl survived.

===========================

Diver dies after getting caught in rocks | lee, callus, rocks - News - The Orange County Register

Published: Sept. 13, 2010
Updated: 10:17 a.m.
Diver dies after getting caught in rocks
By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAGUNA BEACH – A scuba diver died Sunday afternoon after he became stuck in rocks off the Laguna Beach coast, officials said.

Kenny Lee, 41, was scuba diving with a friend when he became tangled underneath the waters, said Sgt. Louise Callus of the Laguna Beach Police Department.

The friend tried to help free his friend off the rocks in an area nicknamed Giggle Crack, and then called for help from lifeguards when he was unable to, Callus said. Giggle Crack is a rocky area near Diver's Cove frequented by divers, Callus said.

The two friends had gone diving in Diver's Cove on Sunday afternoon, but Lee became stuck in the rocks at about 2:30 p.m. While he was stuck, Lee's breathing equipment began to malfunction, Callus said.

Whether the equipment malfunctioned because of the rocks or while he was trying to free himself is unknown, Callus said.

Lee, of Irvine, was taken to Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, where he was pronounced dead an hour later.

Lee was identified by the coroner's department.