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)