Kayaker who died on Snoqualmie River was a volunteer firefighter



NORTH BEND, Wash. -- A kayaker who died Saturday on the Snoqualmie River was "doing what he loved," according to friends and coworkers at the Gold Bar Firefighter's Association.

Sam Grafton was a longtime volunteer firefighter/EMT for the Gold Bar area. He was also a rescue technician.

Grafton died Saturday when his kayak somehow got submerged in debris in the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River.

Using a helicopter, the King County Sheriff's Office pulled Grafton's body from the river about two hours after the 911 call.

"Your friendship to our community and selfless passion for helping others will never be forgotten," the Gold Bar Firefighter's Association said on Facebook.