Ormond Beach firefighter dies days after he was rescued from surf in New Smyrna Beach

Patricio G. Balona, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read

An Ormond Beach firefighter pulled unconscious from the surf in New Smyrna Beach last week has died, officials said.

Beach patrol officials were called to the drowning incident at 11:31 a.m. Wednesday at the New Smyrna Beach jetty, according to Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Capt. Jason Legath.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood identified the firefighter in a Twitter post as Ethan Wilson, 33, of New Smyrna Beach.

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Wilson was surfing when bystanders, including an off-duty firefighter, saw him floating in the water, Legath said on Sunday.

Bystanders pulled Wilson to shore where the off-duty firefighter performed CPR on on him before he was transported to AdventHealth Hospital in New Smyrna Beach, Legath said.

Wilson died Saturday, officials said.

Bryon White, who organized a GoFundMe account initially set up to raise funds for Wilson's medical expenses, wrote on Saturday that the money raised will now go directly to Wilson's wife, Ashley, and their infant son, Coast.

In his GoFundMe post, White said Wilson suffered serious injuries in a surfing accident on Wednesday.

In a statement Sunday, officials with the City of Ormond Beach said Wilson was a dedicated member of the Ormond Beach Fire, a loving father and husband, and friend to all who knew him.

Wilson was a firefighter/paramedic with Ormond Beach since 2018, said city spokeswoman Jenn Elston.

"His passing is a tremendous loss for our department, as well as for the entire Ormond Beach community," the statement said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ormond Beach firefighter dies at hospital after NSB surf rescue