SAN JOAQUIN, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Gerardo Cervantes Lora, a Good Samaritan who selflessly sprang into action to save a woman and her daughter whose vehicle crashed into a river in California has been found dead, a day after he went missing during the rescue.
According to the California Highway Patrol’s Tracy Division, Lora's body was discovered just before noon local time on Wednesday, October 11, according to People.
Eddie Lora hailed as a 'true hero'
After his body was found, San Joaquin County officials confirmed his identity as Eddie Lora of Manteca, according to CBS News.
The 41-year-old man's body was discovered in the same area where the crash took place off Airport Way on Tuesday, October 10, said San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Heather Brent.
The victim was one of the several individuals who jumped into the river after a GMC carrying a mother and her young daughter crashed into the river, reported People.
After the five-year-old child was brought back to the shore, Lora went back into the river to rescue her mother. However, he disappeared beneath the water's surface.
"It just shows everyone in this community what a quick response and what a true hero is, and honestly, it's unfortunate the way that it ended today" said Brent.
Using a search and rescue robot, the search crew got an underwater view of the river amid fast-flowing conditions, reported CBS News.
"It is pretty frigid waters here," said Brent.
More than 20 loved ones of Lora stood by and helped with the search operation on Wednesday, October 11.
Talking about the incident, Officer Nelson Zelaya, "It is a terrible tragedy."
What led to the car veering off the road and into the river?
According to the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority, the woman who drove the vehicle briefly lost consciousness after the crash. However, the medical personnel who arrived on the scene were able to revive her.
CHP Tracy stated that the woman sustained "major injuries" in the incident and was transported to San Joaquin General Hospital following the rescue.
Her young daughter who was not injured in the crash was also taken to the San Joaquin General Hospital "for precautionary reasons," said authorities.
It remains unclear what led to the car veering off the road and into the river. At around 7 pm on Tuesday, October 10, the vehicle involved in the crash was pulled from the river, reported KCRA-TV.
