New Rochelle firefighter Keith Morris, 31, of Ladder Company 12 at Fire Station #2 on Webster Avenue died last night in a boating accident in Stamford, CT. Morris joined the department in August 2004. Morris was a long-time New Rochelle resident. His father, Steve Morris owns the popular Spectators Pub on North Avenue.
UPDATE: There will be a wake at the Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel at 16 Shea Place in New Rochelle, NY. Visiting hours are Thursday 7-9 p.m. and Friday 5-9 p.m. There will be a funeral mass on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Name Church on Petersville Road in New Rochelle, NY. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY.
UPDATE: The Medical Examiner’s office in Connecticut ruled the death accidental.
Morris was reported missing and believed drowned after his boat capsized in the waters off Stamford, CT in Long Island Sound last night. Four other people on board were rescued. Stamford Police Department Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard were involved in the search.
Sometime around 11 p.m. last night, Connecticut investigators say the 28-foot craft crashed into a jetty off Shippian Point near Stamford, CT. Five people went into the water. Two were trapped under the boat and rescued by police and firefighter divers. Two other people swimming in the water near the capsized boat were pulled from the water by rescuers.
Investigators believe Morris was ejected from the boat upon impact after misreading a channel marker and driving into a seawall. Morris was an inexperienced boater. He purchased the boat over a year ago but did not use it much because last season the boat was damaged after it became half-submerged while docked at the New Rochelle Marina. The exact cause of the problem was not determined.
At a press conference this afternoon, Capt. Raul Camejo of the Connecticut Conservation Police Police confirmed that at 12:15 p.m. New York State police used sonar to recover the body of New Rochelle Firefighter Keith Morris in 58 feet of water. Alcohol may have played a role.
Morris was with Ladder 12 in responding to massive boat fire at the Travers Island Marina at New York Athletic Club on May 17th. (Video of Keith Morris walking away from boat; Photo of Keith Morris looking up at boat)
Full video clip here.
UPDATE: Statement On The Death of Fire Fighter Keith Morris from the New Rochelle Uniformed Fire Fighters Association
The executive board and members of the New Rochelle Uniformed Fire Fighters Association wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Fire Fighter Keith Morris and the members of Ladder 12 on their loss. Keith was a dedicated and well respected fire fighter who bravely served the people of New Rochelle for nearly eight years. Keith will be sorely missed by all of his colleagues.
UPDATE: Statement On The Death of Fire Fighter Keith Morris from New Rochelle City Manager Chuck Strome
It is with deep regret that I announce the confirmation by Stamford police this afternoon, that a boating accident yesterday has claimed the life of a member of our staff, Firefighter Keith Morris. We offer our sincere condolences to the Morris family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.
UPDATE: Statement On The Death of Fire Fighter Keith Morris from New Rochelle Fire Chief Lou DiMeglio
The entire department is shocked and devastated by this heart-wrenching news. Keith was a good firefighter, dedicated to the job. We haven’t even begun to feel the impact of our loss, which will be great.
UPDATE: Statement On The Death of Fire Fighter Keith Morris from Mayor Noam Bramson
This is an awful tragedy. Keith Morris was much admired by colleagues and friends, and by the many residents he touched through his dedication to the New Rochelle Fire Department. To Keith’s family, we offer our thoughts and prayers, as well as deep gratitude for his service to our city.
INITIAL OVERNIGHT REPORT:
Keith Morris, 31, a New Rochelle firefighter is missing and believed drowned after his boat capsized in the waters off Stamford, CT in Long Island Sound last night. Four other people on board were rescued. Stamford Police Department Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard were involved in the search.
Morris is a New Rochelle resident. His father, Steve Morris owns the popular Spectators Pub on North Avenue.
Sometime around 11 p.m. last night, the boat capsized after striking a jetty off Shippian Point near Stamford, CT. Five people went into the water. Two were trapped under the boat and rescued by police and firefighter divers. Two other people swimming in the water near the capsized boat were pulled from the water by rescuers. Morris was never found.
UPDATE: There are unofficial reports that Morris drowned.
UPDATE: UFFA 273 Union President said “It’s tragic. He was so full of life”.
UPDATE: The group on the boat had docked at the Crab Shell a seafood restaurant in Stamford, CT located on Stamford Landing, the City’s waterfront boardwalk and marina. There are reports the group was drinking alcohol before leaving the dock.
A tragic loss
Met him once a while back. Super guy and how often we forget the substantial people in our community that protect us, serve us, and who we too often take for granted.
Keith was the sort of young man you hoped your daughter would bring him one day. We are the poorer, much the poorer for his loss.
My prayers to those who loved him. Rest in peace.
Greatness
Keith lived his 30 years full of love and friendship. I will honor his memory forever, and never forget the honorable and great person that he was and continues to be in heaven.
Our Deepest Condolences
Keith holds a special place in mine, and my family’s heart. As some of you may remember, we experienced a house fire this past January at 44 Poplar Place. Keith was one of the many heroic firefighters on scene that night. Our home was saved, due in part, to the efforts of this gentleman. It would take a better writer than myself to put into words the lost we feel at this time.
Our hearts go out to the Morris family, and they have our deepest condolences at this time. In our eyes Keith was a true hero, and New Rochelle has lost a great protector.
Sincerely,
Mark McLeroy & The McLeroy / Pierro Family
updated version
For those who have been following this story on Talk of the Sound let me explain that as we often to do with a story like this, we got up the story based on what we had at the time and used this article to keep updating the story throughout the day. It was then edited to be a more full story rather than a live-blog of the unfolding events.
We dug through our archives and found some still photos and video from a fire in May and added that. In this case, we also provided the hi-res video clip of Keith Morris at the scene as it may be one of the few, relatively recent videos of hime at the scene of a working fire and we thought people who knew him might like to see or download the higher quality video images.
Tragic
Unbelievable tragedy. He lived life to the fullest. We never know what life has in store for us. My prayers go out to his family, friends and fellow firefighters.