Gardener Drowns After Falling Into Client’s Pool

A Santa Ana gardener died Saturday after he fell into a swimming pool at the Laguna Niguel home he was tending, authorities said.

The owner of the home saw the 53-year-old man, identified as Victor Lopez Cortez, at the bottom of the pool around 12:30 p.m., said Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Larry Abbott.

The homeowner, who is disabled, was unable to help the man herself but called 911 and then a neighbor, who rushed to the house on Floweridge Circle and managed to haul the gardener from the pool, Abbott said.

The neighbor tried to revive the man, who was not breathing, Abbott said. Upon arrival, paramedics pronounced the gardener dead. Abbott said authorities believe the death was an accident.