ELK – A Walnut Creek man diving for abalone on Tuesday was found dead by rescuers.

Myung Lee, 67, was found unconscious and not breathing by firefighters after his diving companion reported losing sight of him, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

At around 11 a.m. Tuesday Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a report of a deceased abalone diver at Greenwood Beach in Elk, Smallcomb reported.

Smallcomb said that after deputies arrived at the scene they learned that Lee and a friend had been diving for abalone off of Greenwood Beach.

Lee's companion lost sight of the victim and after searching for he went to the Elk Store to summon assistance, Smallcomb said.

Elk Volunteer Fire Dept personnel organized a rescue effort and eventually found the victim unconscious and not breathing, according to Smallcomb. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on Lee until paramedics pronounced him deceased.

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