Tragic Loss: California Firefighter Dies After Beach Trip in San Diego

The body of a 25-year-old California firefighter has been recovered off a San Diego pier after a beach trip with family and friends. The cause of death is still under investigation, but drowning appears to be the cause.

Tragedy has struck the firefighting community as the body of 25-year-old Caedan Laffan was recovered off a San Diego pier on Thursday morning. Laffan, a firefighter with the Oakland Fire Department, was in San Diego for the California Firefighter Summer Games when the incident occurred.

According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Laffan went missing after walking into the ocean near Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. Witnesses reported that he had taken a couple of strokes before disappearing from view. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, but his body was not found until approximately two hours later.

Tragic Loss: California Firefighter Dies After Beach Trip in San Diego

The exact cause of death is still undetermined pending an autopsy, but alcohol may have been a factor, according to authorities. Lt. Rick Romero with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department told local media that it was "possible" alcohol was involved.

Laffan's family and friends were devastated by the news of his untimely death. His body was draped in an American flag as police, fire personnel, and loved ones carried him to the San Diego Medical Examiner's van.

Tragic Loss: California Firefighter Dies After Beach Trip in San Diego

"Caeden Laffan was a young enthusiastic member of the Oakland Fire Department, with a bright future ahead of him, and we’re all heartbroken today after learning of this tragic event," Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington wrote in a statement. "Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family, and all who know him, worked with him, and loved him."

Tragically, firefighting was a legacy in Laffan's family. His father, David Laffan, was the Oakland Fire Department's assistant fire chief before dying of a heart attack in the line of duty in 2020. His grandfather also worked as a firefighter, his mother runs a business that offers mental health services to fire crews, and his younger brother Cooper is currently training in the fire academy.

Tragic Loss: California Firefighter Dies After Beach Trip in San Diego

The Oakland Fire Department expressed their profound grief in a Facebook post, extending their condolences to the Laffan family and all those affected by this tragedy. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department echoed these sentiments, stating that "incidents happen, and it's just a sad story."

The California Firefighter Summer Games, which were scheduled to take place this weekend, have been canceled in light of this tragic event. Organizers have expressed their deepest condolences to the Laffan family and the entire firefighting community.

Tragic Loss: California Firefighter Dies After Beach Trip in San Diego