Nikiski firefighter drowns in Southern California

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Nikiski Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Matthew Quiner, 54, drowned Friday at a beach in Oxnard, California about 60 miles west of Los Angeles.

Quiner was an engineer with the Nikiski Fire Department.

KEYT-TV out of Santa Barbara reported that police responded to a 911 call from a beachgoer who spotted a man face-down in the water near the shore. First responders attempted to resuscitate Quiner. He was eventually taken to St. Johns Regional Medical Center where, according to KEYT-TV, Quiner died.

A GoFundMe account set up for the family says Quiner was on vacation with his family when he drowned.

On Monday, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office told Alaska’s News Source that they determined Quiner drowned after suffering a heart attack, and that his death was accidental.

Coworkers said Quiner had been with the department since 2002.

Editor’s note: Alaska’s News Source makes no representations or warranties of any kind about the authenticity, accuracy, or reliability of any GoFundMe campaign. Any donations you make to such campaigns are strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions related to the authenticity, accuracy, or reliability of a GoFundMe campaign, please contact GoFundMe directly or consult the GoFundMe Guarantee Policy.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional information.