14 DAY TRIAL // Authorities have uncovered the remains of three sea snail divers, all killed within 24 hours in different areas of the Californian North Coast.
According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, two men died in Sonoma County while a third was found near Fort Bragg.
They were all gathering abalones, an activity that requires going underwater and detaching them from rocks.
The Sonoma County sheriff's office sent their crews on all three rescue missions. Helicopter pilot Paul Bradley describes that incidents of this type almost never happen in the area.
“It is the busiest we've been in that short amount of time with that many horrible outcomes,” Bradley explains.
Crews were first called out near Shell Beach in Sonoma County on Saturday, April 27.
An experienced swimmer, 66-year-old Cedric Collett was swimming with a friend when he drowned. He was equipped with a weight belt used to remain submersed while abalone diving.
The body of 36-year-old San Francisco resident Kenneth Liu was uncovered the next day, off Salt Point State Park.
The remains of a third man, who has not been identified yet, have been found 15 feet (4.6 meters) underwater in the Ft. Bragg within a few hours.
Divers and rescue teams in helicopters were dispatched for the mission. Two of the men were pulled out from the water, while another's body was already on the beach.
“The surf was absolutely pounding on us,” Sonoma County sheriff's Deputy Henri Boustany details.
“It's a busy season out on the coast, it's abalone season. We've got a lot of people out here today.
“But it's very dangerous along our coast.
“People may be underestimating the force of the ocean and their ability to stay safe within the ocean,” adds Sonoma County sheriff's Sgt. Ed Hoener, overlooking rescue efforts by helicopter and boat.