SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — Authorities have identified the victim in last night's drowning at Lake Anna in Spotsylvania as 24-year-old Mason Fercovic-Ortegel, who was employed as a firefighter with the county's Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management. He was off duty at the time of the incident.
At 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, the Louisa County 911 center contacted the Spotsylvania County emergency communications center, reporting a call from an individual stating a 24-year-old man who had been boating with the caller was missing after entering Lake Anna in the area near Seay Point Road in Spotsylvania County.
First responders with Spotsylvania’s Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management were dispatched at 7:43 p.m. and arrived on scene at 7:52 p.m. Additional units with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and emergency resources from Louisa County and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources assisted in search efforts. Divers recovered Fercovic-Ortegel's body at 11:58 p.m. following an extensive search.
Spotsylvania County offers its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of firefighter Mason Fercovic-Ortegel and the entire Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management.
Initial report
The Spotsylvania County emergency communications center received a call from the Louisa County 911 center at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, reporting they received a call from an individual who stated a 24-year-old male who had been boating with them was unaccounted for after entering Lake Anna in the area near Seay Point Road in Spotsylvania County. First responders with Spotsylvania’s Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management were dispatched at 7:43 p.m. and arrived on scene at 7:52 p.m. Additional units with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and emergency resources from Louisa County and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources were dispatched to the scene to assist in search efforts. Divers recovered a body at 11:58 p.m. following an extensive search. Authorities are not releasing the victim’s identity until the next of kin is notified.
Updated 8/14/2026 at 1:20 a.m.
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