Swimmer, 53, drowns in Irvine pool

A man drowned in a pool at his Irvine town home complex Friday, according to authorities.

The unidentified 53-year-old man had been swimming alone in the communal pool at 301 Deerfield Ave., according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi.

Around noon, a group of roofers working nearby noticed he’d stopped moving and was underwater.

“So they quickly came down from the roof,” Concialdi said. “They were able to pull him out and call 911, but he was already deceased.”

This is the second drowning in Irvine this year and 28th in Orange County, Concialdi said.

That total could overtake last year when there were 37 countywide, according to the OCFA.

Every drowning this year has happened when children were left unattended or an adult was alone in or near the water, Concialdi said.

“We’re asking people to be especially careful in this warm weather,” he said, recommending parents watch kids closely and adults always bring a buddy to the pool.

Irvine leads Orange County in 911 calls related to drowning incidents, Concialdi said.

In addition to the two fatalities, crews have been called out eight times for water-related emergencies that could have ended with victims drowning.

“A number of them still experienced brain damage or other medical problems because they were submerged under water for a period of time,” Concialdi said.