Virginia Firefighter Dies While Teaching Water Rescue Course

CHESTERFIELD, VA — A Virginia firefighter died from what authorities are calling a "catastrophic accident" while she conducted training in North Carolina this weekend.

Alicia Monahan, 41, died while teaching a swift water rescue course on the Nantahala River in Macon County, North Carolina, WRIC reported.

Monahan's death was also confirmed by the Chesterfield Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association. Neither organization provided details on what caused her death. The latter, however, called her death a catastrophic accident.

"Alicia was more than a teammate — she was also a personal friend to many of us and this loss is unimaginable," the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association wrote in a Facebook post Saturday.

In a separate Facebook post, the Chesterfield Professional Fire Fighters Association wrote, "The next couple of days, weeks, and months will be very trying for everyone that knew Alicia… On behalf of the executive board, we share in your shock and sadness of this untimely passing of our sister Alicia."

According to WRIC, Monahan worked with the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Department for 11 years. During that time, she helped recover a body from the Swift Creek Reservoir in March. She also received a Valor Award in 2019.

Monahan leaves behind a fiancee and two sons.