A hero firefighter died attempting to avoid wasting a mom who'd pushed right into a river to drown herself and an eight-year-old youngster, say police.

Volunteer fireman John Forbush, 24, had been off-duty when he heard concerning the crash into the river and drove to the scene to assist.

However as he battled to avoid wasting the pair from the automobile, he additionally drowned, officers defined.

The tragedy happened at Elk River close to the realm of Braxton County in West Virginia on Might 1.

The West Virginia State Hearth Marshal stated in an announcement on Monday: "On Might 1st, 2022, at roughly 2:30 p.m., a automobile drove into the Elk River, ensuing within the dying of each automobile occupants and an off-duty volunteer firefighter, who tried to supply support to the victims earlier than emergency responders arrived on the scene.

fire department, drowning, volunteer
Richwood Hearth Division "bringing residence" volunteer firefighter John Dean Forbush who died whereas attempting to avoid wasting 8-year-old woman after her mom drove their automobile right into a West Virginia river Might 1.@RichwoodFD/Zenger

"The automobile, operated by 42-year-old LaTonya Bell of Cleveland, Ohio, drove into the Elk River close to the realm of the Braxton County Senior Residents Middle alongside Route 4.

"Whereas working lower than a mile away, Gassaway Volunteer Firefighter, John D. Forbush, 24-years-old, heard the preliminary dispatch name on his department-issued radio and responded on to the scene.

"As soon as on scene, Firefighter Forbush communicated by way of radio transmission that there gave the impression to be victims trapped contained in the automobile and instantly jumped into the river to rescue the victims.

"Throughout the rescue efforts, Firefighter Forbush was unable to free the victims from the automobile, and he additionally misplaced his life.

"The fatalities from this incident included 42-year-old LaTonya Bell of Cleveland, Ohio, 8-year-old Havana Pipkins of Cleveland, Ohio, and 24-year-old John D. Forbush of Gassaway, whose physique was recovered from the Elk River at roughly 4:26 p.m."

All three victims have been despatched to the West Virginia Workplace of the Chief Medical Examiner in Charleston.

The hearth service added: "An investigation into this incident by the Braxton County Sheriff's Workplace has revealed that Ms. Bell deliberately drove her automobile into the Elk River and has been dominated a homicide/suicide.

"John D. Forbush selflessly gave his life for strangers in want. He proudly served the Gassaway neighborhood for 4 years as a volunteer firefighter.

"His service to the neighborhood will endlessly be remembered. Summersville Hearth Division, from Nicholas County, additionally responded to the scene with Dive Rescue sources."

A funeral procession happened on Might 4 in honor of Forbush as he was returned to Braxton County for burial.

The investigation continues.

This story was supplied to Newsweek by Zenger Information.