Scuba Diving Accident Leaves Man Dead

SAN DIEGO -- A man stricken by some type of physical problem while scuba diving near San Clemente Island Monday was airlifted to San Diego and rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials Monday said.

The 60-year-old man, whose name was withheld pending family notification, was diving from a charter boat about two miles offshore from the Navy-owned isle when he succumbed to the unknown ailment about noon.

The operators of the diving service contacted the Coast Guard, which sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to pick up the man, according to the maritime agency's public affairs office.

The copter crew hoisted the patient and another passenger, a nurse, aboard the aircraft and flew them to the Coast Guard's San Diego station.

From there, medics took the ailing man to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, where he was pronounced dead.