October 12th, 2015 - 3:46pm
(Neah Bay) -- The Clallam County Sheriff's is investigating the death of a Tacoma man, who was free dive spear fishing when he went missing Sunday.
During the ensuing investigation, deputies learned that the 23-year-old victim and two of his friends were snorkeling and free diving in waters west of the Neah Bay harbor jetty in the Strait of Juan De Fuca.
The name of the victim is being withheld pending confirmation on notification of the victims next-of-kin.
The divers were spear fishing about 100 yards from shore and diving from kayaks.
Free Diving is a form of underwater diving that relies on a divers ability to hold their breath until resurfacing, rather than the use of a breathing apparatus such as scuba gear.
At about 4:30 pm one of the victims fellow divers lost sight of the victim and a search ensued.
One of the divers used a radio from the scene to call for help from the Neah Bay Coast Guard Station.
The Coast Guard responded and began a search for the victim.
The victim was soon found by one of his fellow divers; underwater and entangled in a kelp bed in about 20 to 25 feet of water.
The diver was able to cut the unresponsive victim free from the kelp and bring him to the oceans surface.
The diver signaled a Coast Guard helicopter and was soon met by a Coast Guard rescue boat.
The victim was transported by boat to the Neah Bay Coast Guard Station.
He was later pronounced deceased at the Neah Bay Health Clinic.
A coroners hold was placed on the body of the victim pending a cause of death determination by the Clallam County Prosecutors Office.
