Diver Dies After Being Pulled From High Surf

A 40-year-old diver who disregarded warnings of high surf at Crystal Cove State Park died Sunday after being pulled unconscious from the water, the Orange County Fire Authority said.

Neil J. Olsen of Anaheim became the latest victim in a series of ocean-related tragedies involving heavy high surf.

The diver had entered the ocean for an afternoon of snorkeling near Rocky Bight, about a mile north of El Moro Elementary School.

Olsen received emergency first aid from paramedics and was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, officials said.

He was diving with a friend, Cliff Garcia, who was not injured, said Capt. Scott Brown, a spokesman for the Fire Authority.

Lifeguards said Olsen may have hit his head on a rock. At the time, a strong southerly swell was creating 4- to 6-foot waves and had lifeguards in Orange County on alert.

An added level of concern, especially for inexperienced swimmers and divers, was that ocean temperatures had fallen to 56, officials said.

State lifeguard T. Rodd Bancroft said both divers disregarded posted signs warning of no lifeguard service and also repeated warnings by a group of local surfers.

“They were trying to get in the water after 4 p.m., right about high tide,” Bancroft said.

In recent weeks, violent surf has taken a toll.

On Mother’s Day, a big wave swept a 6-year-old girl into the ocean in Laguna Beach. Although the girl was rescued, her mother and her mother’s boyfriend died after trying to save the girl.

Earlier last month, an off-duty firefighter drowned while diving in strong surf off Shaw’s Cove in Laguna Beach.