24-Year-Old Firefighter Remembered After Lake Anna Drowning

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A 24-year-old Spotsylvania County firefighter died Thursday night in an off-duty drowning at Lake Anna, authorities said.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office identified the firefighter as Mason Fercovic-Ortegel. He worked for the county's Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management but was off duty when the incident occurred.

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The Louisa County 911 center contacted Spotsylvania County emergency communications at 7:40 p.m. Thursday. The caller reported that Fercovic-Ortegel, who had been boating with the caller, was missing after entering the lake near Seay Point Road in Spotsylvania County, according to the sheriff's office.

Spotsylvania fire and rescue crews were dispatched at 7:43 p.m. and arrived nine minutes later. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, Louisa County emergency personnel and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources also assisted with the search.

Divers recovered Fercovic-Ortegel's body at 11:58 p.m. after an extensive search, authorities said.

Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management announced Fercovic-Ortegel's death Friday, calling it a heartbreaking loss for his family, friends, colleagues and the department.

"Our department will stand beside Mason's family and our members in the days ahead," the department said. "We will do everything we can to support them, care for one another, and honor Mason and his service to our community."

The department asked residents to keep Fercovic-Ortegel's family, friends and fellow department members in their thoughts and prayers.

"Rest easy, Mason," the department said. "You will not be forgotten."