San Diego man drowns in Newport Harbor while attempting to retrieve cellphone

A San Diego man drowned Sunday after attempting to retrieve a fallen cellphone in Newport Harbor, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Spokesman Sgt. Scott Steinle said the victim, Mathew Morrow, 32, was on one of a group of boats inside the harbor near Lido Isle when another person’s cellphone fell into the water. Morrow dove into the harbor in an attempt to retrieve it but never resurfaced.

Sheriff’s deputies were called for assistance at 4:40 p.m., Steinle said.

Morrow was located at 5:14 p.m. by county lifeguards and was taken to a dock area just off of Lido Isle where lifeguards and Newport Beach paramedics attempted to resuscitate him.

Morrow was later pronounced dead at the scene, Steinle said.

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