A California firefighter drowned during a trip to San Diego with friends and family.
Caeden Laffan, 25, was swimming on the north side of Pacific Pier south of La Jolla around 2 a.m. Thursday when he disappeared beneath the waves. KUSI reported.
The Oakland firefighter was in town to attend the California Firefighters Games, an annual gathering that brings together firefighters from across the state for a friendly sports competition.
San Diego Fire-Rescue said alcohol may have been involved and the young man may have walked waist-deep in waist-deep water before disappearing.
“We searched for a couple of hours with a rescue boat, ground units and a Coast Guard helicopter,” said Lt. Rick Romero, a San Diego lifeguard.
Caeden Laffan (pictured), 25, drowned during an evening swim while visiting San Diego for the California Firefighter Games.
Caedan (right) joined the Oakland Fire Department in 2019 and worked with his father Sean Laffan (left) for a year before dying of a heart attack while on the job.
However, it wasn’t long before Caedan’s body was spotted in the waves.
‘We couldn’t locate him. We were doing our last patrol on the coast and our lifeguard sergeant saw him. He had reached the beach on the north side of the pier. Unfortunately, incidents happen. And it’s just a sad story.’
San Diego Fire Chief Colin Stowell vowed to treat Caeden’s death as if it were one of his own children, and the young man’s body was seen with an American flag draped over it as local police and firefighters carried it to the medical examiner’s van.
The Oakland Fire Department confirmed the 25-year-old’s death and called him a promising young member of the force.
“Caeden Laffan was a young and enthusiastic member of the Oakland Fire Department, with a bright future ahead of him, and today we are all heartbroken after learning of this tragic event,” said Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington.
The young man’s body was seen with an American flag draped over it as local police and fire personnel transported it to the medical examiner’s van.
Caedan was swimming off the north side of Pacific Pier south of La Jolla around 2 a.m. Thursday when he went missing and his body was found nearly two hours later.
‘Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family and all who knew him, worked with him, and loved him. The Laffan family and I sincerely appreciate the coordination and support of the San Diego Fire Department as our members continue to respond and grieve.’
His mother, Sabrina Laffan, was on the scene to identify him, just four years after her husband, Assistant Fire Chief Sean Laffan, died while on duty.
Caedan joined the Oakland Fire Department in 2019 and worked with his father for a year before dying of a heart attack while on the job, he reported. KTVU.
The young man said at the time of his father’s death: ‘We were about 10 years old and we could have worked together in the fire department. It was cut down to one year, but I enjoyed every second of it. That’s for sure.’
The Laffans are a family of firefighters: Caeden’s maternal grandfather served as a firefighter and his younger brother, Cooper, is now in the fire academy.
His mother, Sabrina Laffan (second from left), was at the scene to identify him, just four years after her husband, Assistant Fire Chief Sean Laffan, died.
The Oakland Fire Department described the 25-year-old as a promising young member of the force.
The Laffans are a family of firefighters: Caeden’s maternal grandfather served as a firefighter and his younger brother, Cooper (center), is now in the fire academy.
Her mother often works with the Oakland Fire Department providing mental health services to fire crews.
Chief Covington plans to support the Laffan family during this tragedy and will be flying to San Diego.
“We’re going to reach out and support our members, but we’re really going to try to reach out and support the Laffan family,” Covington said.
“They’ve suffered a huge loss. It’s almost incomprehensible how much loss you can suffer and still be able to stand, so we’re going to support them as much as we can.”
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