LITTLE RIVER, Calif. – A Nevada man who was spearfishing with a friend on the North Coast died Tuesday after he was reported to have gone into distress.

Joseph Paul Ramirez, 31, of Reno was pronounced dead at Ukiah Valley Medical Center, according to a report from Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

At 11 a.m. Tuesday Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies, Albion Fire Department, Mendocino Fire Department, Cal Fire and the US Coast Guard were dispatched to a diver in distress near Buckhorn Cove South of Little River, Smallcomb said.

When they arrived at the scene sheriff's deputies learned that Ramirez, who was spearfishing with a friend, became distressed for an unknown reason, according to Smallcomb. Ramirez's dive partner was unable to assist him and swam to shore to summon assistance.

Smallcomb said rescue personnel found Ramirez by boat. By that time he was unconscious and not breathing.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately begun, and Smallcomb said Ramirez was taken to shore and airlifted by US Coast Guard to Ukiah Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

No official cause of death has yet been released.

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