KEY LARGO -- A 57-year-old Rockwall, Texas, man died last Wednesday while diving offshore Key Largo.

Thomas Pickett was diving at Elbow Reef from a Silent World Dive Center boat, said the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses said Pickett was diving down about 20 feet when his dive buddy reported he was having trouble, and Pickett was unconscious when he was pulled into the boat, reports say.

The boat crew began CPR as he was brought to shore at Garden Cove Drive, near mile marker 106.

Paramedics reportedly met the boat at shore and took Pickett to Mariners Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending.

Beautifying U.S. 1

KEY LARGO -- Beautifying the U.S. 1 corridor will be the topic of the program at the general membership luncheon of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, March 10.

Harry Belton, senior landscape architect with Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, and Paul Moss district landscape architect from the Florida Department of Transportation, will talk about ways the state and community can work together to beautiful the Overseas Highway through Key Largo.

The meeting, to be held at the Pilot House in Key Largo, begins at noon, but doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $20 with reservations, $25 at the door.

Contact info@keylargochamber.org or call 451-1414.