Man drowns after jumping off San Diego pier to retrieve items thrown into ocean

A man apparently drowned after he jumped off the Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego to retrieve personal belongings thrown into the water during an argument Friday night, authorities said.

The 27-year-old man and his girlfriend were involved in a dispute with two other people, who at some point threw the victim’s property into the ocean, police Lt. Andrew Hoffman said.

The man jumped off the pier, presumably to recover the items, Hoffman said.

The incident was reported about 9:30 p.m.

Lifeguards tried to locate and reach the man for about half an hour, authorities said. Their efforts were hampered by 8-foot-high waves and thick seaweed, said Monica Muñoz, spokeswoman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

A San Diego police helicopter crew provided lighting during the search effort.

Hernandez writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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