A Halifax Regional Municipality firefighter has been identified as the victim of a drowning at Drysdale Falls in Tatamagouche this week.
According to a GoFundMe page launched for his family, Sam London, 37, died on Tuesday after rescuing his son, who became stuck in a whirlpool.
“Sam jumped in to successfully rescue his son, but was instead swept into the undercurrent himself,” the page reads.
READ MORE: N.S. RCMP investigating after man drowns in Tatamagouche
The vice president of the Halifax Professional Firefighters Association, Joe Triff, said the death of London has hit the firefighting community hard.
Triff grew up with London and served together as volunteer firefighters and said you’d be hard-pressed to find a better firefighter, friend, and father.
“He was your true gentleman, competent, quiet and confident, somebody you would be happy to work with.”
Nova Scotia RCMP say they were called to Drysdale Falls, 14 kilometres southeast of Tatamagouche, N.S., at 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday.
Police say a man from Three Fathom Harbour, N.S., had been swimming with family members when he went underwater and failed to resurface.
WATCH: RCMP continue to search for victims in possible Canada Day weekend drownings
In an email to Global News, Keith Slack, who started the GoFundMe campaign, said London was a “gentleman, quiet, unassuming and kind.”
“He was all about his family and proud to be a firefighter,” Slack stated.
READ MORE: Police investigating after woman drowns in Richmond County
The online crowdfunding campaign has raised over $19,000 as of 12:00 p.m. on Thursday.