Funeral services for a fallen firefighter/paramedic from Washington will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.
Capt. Rob McLaughlin, 40, died last week of injuries suffered during a water training exercise with the Ocean Shores Fire and Emergency Care Department.
The untimely death has left his colleagues stunned, and searching for answers, said Matt Krick, also a firefighter/paramedic.
"We're devastated. With only nine career and 25-28 volunteers, we're very close-knit..."
McLaughlin, the father of three, was stricken after being dumped into the ocean when a personal water craft overturned. He was a passenger on the vessel, operated by a fellow firefighter.
There were no signs of injuries, and an autopsy will determine if McLaughlin suffered a medical condition.
"It was a freak accident," Krick said Wednesday afternoon. "It was no one's fault. It just happened..."
McLaughlin was known statewide for his training expertise, and enjoyed sharing his skills with other firefighters. "He was just a super guy. He was our B shift captain..."
But, he meant so much more to many in the Ocean Shores area, Krick said. "He was our hunting and fishing buddy..."
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
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