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3 Abalone Divers Killed In Separate Incidents Off Northern California Coast

SANTA ROSA (CBS/AP) -- Authorities say three abalone divers died in separate incidents over the weekend in Northern California, where powerful rip currents were reported.

The Press Democrat reported that the body of a 66-year-old retired Pacifica firefighter was found Saturday afternoon in the water off Sonoma County's Shell Beach.

On Sunday morning, several divers helped pull a 36-year-old San Francisco man to shore after he got caught in a rip tide off nearby Salt Point State Park. He couldn't be revived.

Several hours later a diver was found dead north of Fort Bragg. Sonoma County sheriff's Sgt. Ed Hoener says the man was found about 15 feet below the water and might have been snagged in rocks.

The newspaper said a very low tide Sunday morning brought swarms of abalone divers to beaches.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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