Young man remains in serious condition after dive off Pier 60

CLEARWATER BEACH -- Police today identified a 19-year-old who nearly drowned Sunday after diving headfirst off of Pier 60 as Nathan Dwyer.

Witnesses told authorities that Dwyer dove into a shallow area of water about 5:40 p.m. Sunday.

The impact knocked Dwyer unconscious. Bystanders dragged him to shore and saw that he wasn't breathing. Witnesses said a nurse, doctor and a police officer -– all off duty -– tended to the young man and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

The CPR was successful and Dwyer began breathing on his own, officials said. But he remained unconscious and was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he was in serious condition this afternoon.

PHOTO: An unidentified man pulls a distraught woman away from the scene where paramedics administer CPR and attempt to stabilize the man who jumped headfirst. [WILL VRAGOVIC | Times]

- Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer