Man Dies In Diving Accident Off Salt Point State Park

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – A man died while diving Sunday afternoon off the Sonoma County coast, a Cal Fire captain said.

Cal Fire responded at 1:53 p.m. to Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park where lifeguards pulled a man from the water after a dive.

Cal Fire Capt. Robbie Barnes said he believes the man was diving for abalone, which is a common name for a group of small to very large sea snails.

The man was pronounced dead on the beach.

A helicopter from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office helped firefighters and state park's personnel lift the victim from the beach.

Barnes did not know the man's name or his hometown. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office was not available for comment Sunday night.

Multiple Bay Area residents died last year diving for abalone off the coasts of Marin and Mendocino counties.

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--Bay City News/Photo via Facebook: Sonoma Sheriff