By EMS1 Staff
ISLAND HEIGHTS, N.J. — In the wake of a firefighter-EMT’s unexpected death Thanksgiving day, friends and colleagues are raising funds to bring his body back to New Jersey.
British-born David Ley died after a diving incident off the coast of Florida. Responders attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company, where Ley served, created a GoFundMe page to raise funds to transport his body back to New Jersey and pay for funeral expenses, reported the Patch. Nearly $8,000 has been raised.
“Due to the fact that his tragic and untimely death took place in a different state, the costs of transport, burial and other expenses are much greater than they would normally be,” wrote the company on their Facebook page. “We thank you for all of the support and kind words that people have given to us.”
Ley also served with the South Toms River First Aid Squad, Plumsted Fire District and Berkeley Township Underwater Search and Rescue Squad.