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Memorial services set for firefighter fatally injured in training exercise

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COURTESY HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT

Clifford Rigsbee

Memorial services for firefighter Clifford Rigsbee, who died from injuries he received during a rescue water craft training session off Diamond Head last week, will be held Saturday at the fire department’s training center near the Honolulu Airport.

The services will begin at 1 p.m. at the center located at 890 Valkenburg St. Rigsbee’s ashes will be scattered near the Kaimana Beach Hotel at Waikki Beach at sunset.

The 63-year-old firefighter and triathlete died Thursday after being injured while riding on a sled being towed by a fellow firefighter from Engine Company 7, on June 14, at the surf break known as Suicides.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, according to Fire Chief Manuel Neves.

During a training exercise, the operator of the watercraft looked back and saw Rigsbee floating unconscious in the ocean.

Rigsbee was rescued and brought to Makalei Beach Park by fellow firefighters, including an off-duty firefighter. Rigsbee was treated by firefighters, Ocean Safety personnel and paramedics, and then taken in critical condition to Straub Clinic & Hospital, where he died late Thursday night.

The operator of the watercraft also was treated at a hospital and released.

Both Rigsbee and the watercraft operator are assigned to Engine Company 7 stationed in Waikiki.

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