SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The third man who died while diving for abalone in Northern California last weekend has been identified as a New Jersey resident.
Authorities Tuesday said 53-year-old Aaron Kim of Fort Lee, New Jersey died along with two friends after then got caught in rough waves while searching for mollusks in Mendocino County.
Authorities say 49-year-nine-year-old Tae Won Oh of Dublin, California and 49-year-old Hyun Kook Shin of Suwanee, Georgia also died.
An off-duty firefighter who was fishing in the area saw the men struggling in the water and called for help.
The abalone diving season started April 1.
It's not uncommon for people to travel for hundreds of miles each day to the rugged coast to go abalone diving. But they are often inexperienced and don't assess the danger associated with the treacherous sport, experts said.
