Diver who died off coast of Mission Beach identified

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The 54-year-old scuba diver who died off Mission Beach Saturday has been identified, but the cause of his death is has yet to be determined, the county medical examiner's office said.

James Daniel Kinane, 54, of San Diego, was on a 44-foot motor boat with four other men at the sunken Canadian destroyer Yukon to dive on the wreck, authorities said.

Kinane stayed behind when the others went under, stating he did not feel well, San Diego lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma said. When the other divers surfaced about 12:45 p.m., the man jumped into the water, started struggling and became unconscious, Lerma said.

Other members of the diving party told lifeguards Kinane appeared to suffer an equipment malfunction.

Other members of the group jumped in to attempt to help the ailing man and one was able to call for help. The group drifted about 300 yards from the vessel because of a strong current.

Lifeguards and paramedics responded, attempted to resuscitate the man and took him back to the dock, where he was pronounced dead at 1:11 p.m.