Huntington Beach Man, 60, Dies After Jump From Bluff
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HUNTINGTON BEACH — In front of horrified spectators, a 60-year-old man dived to his death off a beach bluff Saturday, landing headfirst on a pile of rocks and concrete slabs 50 feet below, police said.
Moments before he jumped, the man, identified by police as Loyal Gene Bell of Huntington Beach, muttered to nobody in particular, “Have you ever seen anybody dive off of here before?” witnesses said.
Huntington Beach Police Lt. Jon Arnold said some witnesses then watched in disbelief as Bell climbed over the rail and dived headfirst.
Police are investigating the 9:45 a.m. incident but said they believe Bell committed suicide.
The area where the incident occurred, west of Golden West Street near Pacific Coast Highway, is popular with bicyclists and joggers.
Witnesses told police they had seen Bell in the area on previous occasions, balancing on the railing and juggling objects. Several people who had seen him there before did not pay much attention to him Saturday, police said.
Authorities received a flurry of 911 calls. Paramedics found Bell lying on a pile of rocks and concrete slabs, bleeding from head injuries. He was taken to Pacifica Hospital nearby, where he was pronounced dead, Arnold said.
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