Pa. Firefighter Dies Trying to Save Swimmers Off Maryland Beach

A off-duty volunteer firefighter from northeastern Pennsylvania died
Saturday afternoon while trying to save three swimmers caught off a Maryland
beach.

Brian Firkal, 27, of the Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania fire department was
vacationing with family in Ocean City, Maryland, according to Ocean City
Fire Department spokesman Capt. Steve Price.

At about 3:30 p.m., three swimmers were in distress about 100 yards off the
shore, Price said. Firkal, apparantly on the beach nearby, went into the
water in an effort to assist the swimmers.

"It's our understanding that [Firkal] had entered the water and was making
an effort to assist [the other swimmers] in coming back to shore," Price
said.

Rescuers from mutlple agencies, including the Ocean City Fire Department,
Ocean City Police, Ocean City Emergency Services (EMS), and the Ocean City
Beach Patrol, arrived and found the swimmers in distress, and returned them
safely to shore.

However, at some point during the rescue, Firkal was lost in the rough surf.
His body was located and recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard, and transported
to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Price said Firkal's home department and family were notified Saturday
evening. His wife was in Ocean City with him. According to Price, Firkal was
a school teacher at a local vocational center in his Pennsylvania hometown.

A representative from Firkal's home department could not be reached for
comment late Saturday. More information will be provided as its available.