Wash. volunteer firefighter drowns while kayaking

GOLD BAR, Wash. (AP) – The Gold Bar Firefighter’s Association confirms one of its own died while kayaking on the Snoqualmie River.

The association says Sam Grafton died Saturday while kayaking near North Bend. Rescue crews say Grafton was with a group of friends on the river when he somehow ended up in the water and drowned.

Colleagues say Grafton, who was in his late 20s, was a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Gold Bar and Index.

He was also a rescue technician trained in swift water rescue and high angle rescue.

Grafton had posted GoPro videos of his kayaking adventures in Washington and around the world on social media.

The Gold Bar Firefighter’s Association posted the following statement Sunday on Facebook:

“Your friendship to our community and selfless passion for helping others will never be forgotten.”