Bodyboarder dies

A man found floating unconscious in the water at Bolsa Chica State Beach at 7 a.m. Wednesday has been pronounced dead at Huntington Beach Hospital.

The victim, Ohio resident Damian Nakamura, 46, may have had a history of asthma and cardiac problems, Lifeguard Kevin Pearsall said.

Nakamura was found in the water by his uncle about 5 feet from the shore in normal surf conditions, Pearsall said.

When Nakamura’s uncle noticed the bodyboard Nakamura had been riding washed up onshore, he pulled him out of the water.

Lifeguards who were patrolling nearby immediately began resuscitation efforts, Pearsall said.

Medics then transported Nakamura to the hospital, where he was declared dead by emergency room doctors, Pearsall said.

Nakamura was in Huntington Beach on vacation with his wife, said a woman who answered the phone at Nakamura’s home in Ohio.

Pearsall said Nakamura’s uncle told him he had ocean-swimming experience.

The official cause of death was not available pending an autopsy, according to the Orange County Supervising Deputy Coroner, Kelly Crawford.