A Spotsylvania Fireman drowns in Lake Anna Boat Accident

Mason Fercovic-Ortegel, 24, a Spotsylvania County firefighter, died in a drowning at Lake Anna Thursday evening, August 13, 2026. He was off duty and had been boating with others near Seay Point Road when he entered the water and did not resurface.

• A 911 call came in at about 7:40 p.m.
• Crews from Spotsylvania, Louisa County and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources conducted an extensive search.
• Divers recovered Fercovic-Ortegel’s body at approximately 11:58 p.m.
• He had been a member of Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management since 2024.
• The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating. Officials have not said what caused the drowning.

Interim Fire Chief Jason Irby described Mason as “a great firefighter, but more importantly, he was a better person,” saying he had made a lasting impact on the department and community.

This is an especially heartbreaking loss for the Spotsylvania fire-rescue community. Spotsylvania County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management

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