A Navy veteran has been branded as a hero after dying in an attempt to save two women from drowning.
30-year-old Joshua Crane was a competitive bodybuilder and a Navy veteran who went paddle boarding on the American River’s San Juan rapids with his classmates on Friday.
According to the reports, the fourth-year medical student was having a good time when he suddenly heard two females on tubes screaming for help.
Without concern for his own safety, Crane jumped off his paddleboard and began swimming toward the drowning women.
Thanks to his quick-thinking action, the young man managed to pull both thrill-seekers to safety. Sadly, however, he was swept away by the strong current before he could get to safety himself.
Hours after the incident, a rescue crew discovered Crane’s body further downstream after he died from drowning.
Following the veteran’s unfortunate passing, Joshua’s sister, Jessica, paid the young man a tribute and called him a “humble guy” with the “biggest heart ever imaginable.”
“There were two females that were stuck on tubes and my brother was on a paddleboard and they were asking for help,” Jessica said in an interview with ABC 10.
“So he jumped off his paddleboard, like he would [to] help anybody, and no hesitation, no questions asked, jumped off his paddleboard and jumped in the water and got them out.”
Speaking of Joshua’s influence on her children, the grieving sister added: “I always want them to remember that he loved them and he would do anything for them and anybody else in this world.
“He would do anything, he’d give you the shirt off his back and just be there.”
The hero’s family also revealed that the 30-year-old’s dream was to work in medicine because “he lived to serve and help people.”
Our thoughts are with Joshua’s family and friends during these challenging times.
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