A search was underway Saturday for a diver last seen near oil Platform Elly, about nine miles off the coast of Long Beach.
The man in his mid-50s went into an uncontrolled decent at about 12:30 p.m. in water about 270 feet deep, according to the U. S. Coast Guard, which was notified by a crew member aboard a commercial dive vessel.
Two other divers were rescued, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Bernard Peters said. One was released and the other was taken to the hyperbaric chamber at Catalina Island for treatment.
The missing man was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds.
The Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Forward Operating Base Mugu and a 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew from Long Beach to search for the diver, officials said.
They were assisted by the Sheriff’s Air Rescue 5 helicopter, a Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter and boats and Long Beach Fire Department boats.
— City News Service