Night-Diving Experts Find San Clemente Man in Kelp Bed

A 40-year-old San Clemente diver who went missing and was found by night-diving experts in Laguna Beach has died, sheriff's officials said today.

Brislen Andrew Jackson was located in a kelp bed about 250 yards offshore at about 10:25 p.m. Thursday, Marine Safety Department Chief Kevin Snow said. He was in full arrest when he was found.

Officials performed CPR and took Jackson to shore on an Orange County sheriff's fire boat.

Jackson was rushed in critical condition to Mission Hospital, where he later died, sheriff's officials said.

The diver was off work early and went spear fishing, Snow said. Jackson was reported missing by his family when he did not return home from work at his usual time, about 5:30 p.m.

His family called authorities after they found his car parked at Diver's Cove with his diving equipment missing, Orange County Sheriff's Department Lt. Lloyd Downing said.

Deputies and officers from the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Marine Safety Department and Laguna Beach Police Department searched the area by helicopter and water to find Jackson, Snow said.