Nevada County sheriff�s deputies are investigating a case of a man who drowned while apparently practicing face-down meditation in the Yuba River.

Deputies identified the victim as 33-year-old Yoav Timmer, a citizen of Israel.

�Based on statement�s from his friend, Mr. Timmer was practicing a type of meditation where he floats face down in the water for an extended period of time,� said Nevada County Sgt. Mike Sullivan. �His friend was doing his own meditation. A while later he went to check on Mr. Timmer and noticed he was unresponsive in the water.�

�There was nothing at that scene that led them to believe it was suspicious,� Nevada County Sheriff�s Capt. Shannon Moon told CBS Sacramento.

Moon says the death is unlike any she�s seen before.

�Face-down meditation�the first I�ve heard of in 27 years,� Moon said. �Kind of blocking out the distractions of mindfulness in a face-down position underwater.�

Deputies say Timmer A”H drowned in a section of the river where the water pools up, and there�s no strong current. Temperature in the river are currently colder than normal.

The man�s body was discovered by his friend, who was practicing the same meditation technique nearby. That person attempted life-saving measures and drove to the nearest home to call 911. Authorities pronounced Timmer dead after attempting to revive him.

(Nat Golden – YWN)