A group of surfers tried in vain Tuesday to revive a fellow wave-rider after finding him unconscious in the ocean just off Beacon's Beach in Leucadia, authorities said. The man, identified as David Alan Kim, 58, later died at an Encinitas hospital.

According to Encinitas lifeguard Capt. Larry Giles, the man was collapsed across his surfboard when he was spotted drifting in the swells at about 11:30 a.m. Several other surfers paddled over and helped extricate the unconscious man from the water, he said, and CPR was in progress when Encinitas lifeguards arrived on the scene with the Fire Department just before noon.

Giles said the man was found face down in the water and was having trouble in the surf before the bystanders were able to assist him. "He was under the water for a considerable amount of time," Giles said.

State Park and Encinitas lifeguards arrived minutes later, taking over the resuscitation efforts before driving the stricken man to a parking area at Ponto Beach, several miles north in Carlsbad.

From there, ambulance crews transported the man to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, continuing the attempt to resuscitate him on the way.

Despite the efforts, Kim died shortly after arriving at the hospital, the Medical Examiner's Office reported. An autopsy has been scheduled.

Giles praised those who came to the surfer's aid and said he was impressed with their heroic efforts.

Kim was single and lived in Cardiff with his father, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.

CNS contributed to this story.