Alaska Mudslide Victim, a City Maintenance Technician, Died Clearing Stormwater Drains on His Day Off

Sean Griffin spent 17 years working for the City of Ketchikan's Public Works team and "spent his life serving his family and his community," according to city officials

The man who died in an Alaska mudslide that left three others injured has been identified as a city employee who spent nearly two decades on the job.

The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. local time on Aug. 25, in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough of the City of Ketchikan, according to a press release first shared by city officials on Sunday.

In a second press release shared on Monday, Aug. 26, officials identified the victim as city employee and maintenance technician Sean Griffin, who was raised in Ketchikan.

Per city officials, Griffin was responding to a call for assistance on his day off when he died in the accident. He and another team member “were clearing stormwater drains when they were caught in the landslide on the Third Avenue Bypass,” they added.

Related: ‘Catastrophic’ Landslide Causes Highway Between Wyoming and Idaho to Collapse and Close Indefinitely

Griffin spent 17 years working for the city’s Public Works department. City officials said he “was a valued member” of the team, where he first served as a solid waste collector before becoming a solid waste facility operator. He then became a streets maintenance technician and was eventually promoted to senior maintenance technician.

“He spent his life serving his family and his community,” city officials said, noting that Griffin followed in his mother’s footsteps by going into public service. They also described Griffin as “a beloved husband, father, son, neighbor, and coworker,” and remembered him for “his commitment to the community.”

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“Sean is remembered for his dedication, positive spirit, and unwavering devotion to his family, his friends, and to the community,” city officials said. “The EOC sends heartfelt condolences to his family, and we bear this loss with them.”

David Kiffer, mayor of Ketchikan, said in a statement on Sunday that he has personally “never seen a slide of this magnitude” in 65 years as a resident of the city. “The loss of life that we have encountered is heartbreaking,” he added, “and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes.”

Related: 1 Dead, ‘Multiple’ People Presumed Missing After ‘Large’ Landslide Slams Into Homes in Alaska

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a state of emergency in the area of the slide shortly after the disaster. The governor later offered his condolences to Griffin’s family in a statement shared to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday evening.

“Rose and I are holding the Griffin family and the entire Ketchikan community close in our hearts as we send our deepest condolences for the tragic loss of Sean Griffin,” Dunleavy posted on the social media platform.

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