NEW YORK, NY – The FDNY and New York City community are mourning the devastating loss of Matthew Goicochea, a 31-year-old firefighter who tragically died in a motorcycle accident early Thursday morning on Manhattan’s FDR Drive.
According to the New York Police Department, the fatal crash occurred just before 4:00 a.m. on the northbound lanes near East 25th Street in the Kips Bay neighborhood. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Goicochea critically injured on the roadway. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed Goicochea was riding his motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle, though the exact circumstances of the crash are still under active investigation. The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is leading the inquiry, and officials are urging any witnesses or those with dashcam footage to come forward.
Goicochea had served with the New York City Fire Department since 2022, and in his short but impactful career, he quickly distinguished himself as a firefighter of remarkable bravery and commitment. In 2023, he was honored with the Thomas Wylie Medal, one of the department’s most prestigious awards, given for exceptional courage. Goicochea received the medal after rescuing an unconscious individual from a burning building in the Bronx, an act that underscored his fearless devotion to public service.
Although the FDNY has yet to release an official statement, fellow firefighters and city officials have expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of a colleague described as both a hero and a rising star within the department.
“Matthew embodied everything we strive for in the FDNY—courage, selflessness, and dedication to others,” said one fellow firefighter. “This is a heartbreaking loss for us all.”
Goicochea’s death is not only a profound loss to his department but also to a city that relies daily on the courage of its first responders. His passing serves as a solemn reminder of the risks they face not only in the line of duty, but also in their personal lives.
He is survived by grieving family, friends, and fellow firefighters, all of whom are reeling from the loss of a life taken too soon. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but tributes are already being planned across the city in honor of his service and sacrifice.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to honor and remember Matthew Goicochea—a brave firefighter, a dedicated public servant, and a young man whose impact will be felt for years to come.
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