1HO-Memorial-service-set-for-island-firefighter-0623
Memorial service set for island firefighter
Memorial services for firefighter Clifford Rigsbee, who died from injuries received during rescue watercraft training off Diamond Head last week, will be held Saturday at the Honolulu Fire Department’s Charles H. Thurston Fire Training Center, 890 Valkenburgh St.
The services will be held at 1 p.m. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Rigsbee’s ashes will be scattered at sunset near the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikiki.
The 63-year-old firefighter and Tinman Triathlon athlete died Thursday after being injured while riding on a sled being towed by a rescue watercraft June 14 at the surf break known as Suicides.
The cause of the accident is under investigation, said Fire Chief Manuel Neves.
The operator of the watercraft looked back and saw Rigsbee floating unconscious in the ocean.
Rigsbee, who joined the fire department in 1995, was brought to Makalei Beach Park by fellow firefighters, including an off-duty firefighter. Rigsbee was treated by firefighters, Ocean Safety personnel and paramedics, and then taken in critical condition to Straub Clinic &Hospital, where he died June 16.
The operator of the watercraft also was treated at a hospital and released.
His family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the fund created in his memory at gofundme.com/ironmanrigs.
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