Off-Duty Firefighter Drowns at Grapevine Lake

A Grapevine firefighter drowned at Grapevine Lake Saturday morning, the city's fire department confirms.

The department identified the firefighter/paramedic as 30-year-old James McKenzie. He also worked as a part-time firefighter with the Richland Hills Fire Department.

Grapevine Fire Chief Mark Ashmead said McKenize was off-duty at the time of the incident.

McKenzie and a female companion were on a power boat anchored off shore. They both planned to swim to shore for a family gathering at Oak Grove Park.

Both jumped in the water. The woman made it to shore. But McKenzie never surfaced. Firefighters were called to the scene at 10 a.m.

The fire department recovered McKenzie's body Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The department said he was not wearing a floatation device.

"James [McKenzie] was a bright and skilled firefighter and paramedic who also volunteered to serve on the departments dive team, fire boat crew and public education clown team," said chief Ashmead in a statement. "His wit, wisdom and work ethic will be missed."