A Missouri assistant fire chief died at age 42 after being ejected from a boat during a rescue mission.
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On July 8, Matthew Tobben, assistant chief, assisted in a rescue mission that ultimately ended his life.
According to a Facebook statement posted by the Boone County Fire Protection District (and Fire Chief Scott Olsen), Tobben assisted the Columbia Fire Department “during a swift water rescue operation at Rangeline Street and Bear Creek” early in the morning on July 8.
“The firefighters had rescued two individuals when the zodiac boat overturned and Chief Tobben was thrown from the boat and drowned,” the statement explained. “The Columbia Firefighter and the two victims originally rescued were able to be rescued and are doing ok.”
The statement concluded with a request for the community to keep Tobben’s family in their thoughts and prayers.
According to the fatality report, “While returning to the bank, vessel 1 lost engine power and began to drift in the strong current.”
“Vessel 1 was swamped with water which ejected everyone from the vessel,” the report continued. “All three occupants were located safe, however, driver 1 was located deceased a short distance from the vessel.”
Missouri Fire Chief Drowns After Being Ejected From Boat During Rescue Mission
Unfortunately, Tobben’s life jacket and helmet were floating in the water after the incident. It’s unclear how he lost his equipment. However, BCFPD Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said it isn’t uncommon for rescue swimmers to take off their life jackets if necessary to help a victim.
On X, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety shared their own statement.
“Firefighters regularly risk their lives to save others. Tragically, sometimes it costs them their lives. Boone County Fire Assistant Chief Matt Tobben died a hero this morning as he made the ultimate sacrifice attempting a rescue in treacherous floodwater.”
Blomenkamp spoke with ABC affiliate KMIZ about Tobben. “He’d do anything for you,” Blomenkamp added. “All you had to do was ask and he was always willing to help. He never turned down the opportunity to run that call, to make that rescue, to be involved.”