Man drowns while diving alone off Mendocino coast

A 57-year-old man drowned at Russian Gulch State Park after diving alone in a cove about 100 yards from shore, Mendocino Fire officials said Tuesday. A beachgoer who spoke to the man earlier in the day noticed he was floating face-down in the same spot for a prolonged amount of time about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday before going into the water to check on him, said Mendocino Fire Chief Ed O’Brien. Emergency personnel were called to the scene, but the diver was declared dead shortly after their arrival, O’Brien said. Mendocino Sheriff-Corners Office did not return calls requesting the man’s identity and further details. The incident came less than a week after an Oakland man went missing while diving for abalone off the Mendocino County coast.