MYSTERY surrounds the death of a firefighter and mother of two, who died while teaching an off-duty water rescue course.
Alicia Monahan, 41, had served Chesterfield County Fire & EMS for over 11 years and most recently helped recover a body from a reservoir in March.
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“The positive impact she made on her family and friends, our organization, our community and everyone she encountered will live on forever. We miss you Alicia!” Chesterfield Fire said in a statement.
“In recent years, she has been actively preparing for increased leadership responsibilities by completing a long-standing acting lieutenant commander at the Bon Air Fire Station and was a candidate for promotion to the rank of lieutenant commander.”
On June 25, Monahan trained a group of fire and ambulance personnel in fast-water rescue techniques on North Carolina’s Nantahala River.
According to Chesterfield Fire, Monahan was familiar with the area
Those in training said it looked like Monahan was having trouble in the water. Warren Cabe, the director of emergency services for Macon County, said a call came in around 2:36 p.m.
However, Chesterfield Fire said Monahan didn’t enter the water until 3pm and she was wearing full protective gear.
For reasons unknown, Monahan stopped responding.
Chesterfield Fire said she was carried downstream by currents before being taken out of the water by individuals performing CPR.
Douglas Hardy told 8News about his split decision to try to save the woman’s life.
“I didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl at first,” he said. “I just saw a helmet floating and face down in the water and it was like knowing I only had a matter of seconds to get to her.”
Hardy said he resuscitated Monahan after pulling her onto his boat.
“Started with the chest compressions and checking her. I couldn’t see anything wrong, but she wasn’t breathing and I could see her pupils were dilated,” he said.
Despite these efforts, Monahan was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, Chesterfield Fire said.
“The untimely death of Alicia weighs heavily on our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her fiancé, her two sons, extended family and many friends,” said Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Chief Loy Center.
“Her colleagues continue to support the needs of the family while providing uninterrupted emergency services to the community that Alicia loved, grew up and lived in.
“While she will always be remembered for her devotion to duty and unparalleled service to others, her legacy will be the inspiration she has given to countless young women considering careers in the fire service or pursuing goals greater than herself.”
How Monahan died so suddenly is still a mystery, and an investigation through the Nantahala National Forest is currently underway, Cabe said.
Monahan leaves behind her betrothed and two sons.
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