A well known volunteer firefighter from Cobb Island was among two men who drowned Saturday in the Wicomico River, officials said in a news release.
"Christopher Lee Kelly, 24 of Hughesville, Maryland jumped into the water from a pier and struggled to swim back to the pier. Several citizens including volunteer firefighter Christopher Michael Staley, 22, of Cobb Island, Maryland entered the water in an attempt to rescue Kelly.
Both Kelly and Staley drowned," St. Mary's County police said.
The men were in the water near the pier at Wicomico Shores on the river, at around 6:15 p.m., officials said.
Monday, the Cobb Island volunteer fire company was draped in black. Staley is considered a hero for attempting to save the other man. Former Chief Jimmy Jackson says the department considers it a death in the line of duty. Staley was Cobb Island's most active young volunteer, credited with responding on more rescue calls than any other member in 2010.
Everyone in Cobb Island is in shock, not only because Staley was so well known, but because the drowning comes only 5 months after his older brother was killed on the job cutting trees.
Both men were landscape workers in addition be being members of the volunteer fire company.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.
