By EMS1 Staff
GOLD BAR, Wash. — An off-duty volunteer firefighter-EMT died Sunday while on an kayaking trip.
KOMO News reported that Gold Bar Firefighter’s Association firefighter-EMT Sam Grafton was kayaking with friends on a river when he fell into the water and drowned, according to officials.
Colleagues said Grafton was a longtime volunteer firefighter with a “zest for life.”
“Sam traveled all over the world to kayak on the rivers,” colleague Heather Chadwick said. “He loved the water and being adventurous on the water. He died doing what he loved.”
“Your friendship to our community and selfless passion for helping others will never be forgotten,” the Gold Bar Firefighter’s Association wrote on Facebook.
Grafton was also a rescue technician and performed swift water and high angle rescues.
A GoFundMe page was started to help Grafton’s family, click here to donate.