Minnesota Man Drowns While Trying To Save Family Member In Florida
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota family wants everyone to know their loved one was trying to save a man's life when he lost his own.
Dimitry, or "Dima," Bondarenko's family was on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida when he tried to rescue a family member from the water on Wednesday.
Florida officials say he went under, and did notcome back up. After searching the Gulf of Mexico waters for hours, they found Bondarenko.
Bondarenko's sister Natalia Sidorov and niece Kristina Spangberg are not surprised he risked his life to help another. Sitting inside the family's Shakopee church on Friday, they told WCCO Bondarenko was always giving to others and was deeply rooted in his church.
"He was the pillar of our family and of our community," Spangberg said.
"He had a very big heart and anybody could fit in his heart," Sidorov said.
According to the Panama City Beach Police and Bondarenko's family, he dove into choppy waters after someone he thought was a stranger, but it turned out to be his brother-in-law struggling to stay afloat.
"He was holding his hand and the wave came and tore them apart through the strong currents," Spangberg said. "That was the last they saw him."
Bondarenko leaves behind a wife and three children he provided for through his painting business.
A GoFundMe page a friend set up to help his widow raised more than $40,000 dollars in a day.
Bondarenko's family is touched by the outpouring of support.
They said a man who worked until his last breathe to lift others up has many eager to return his kindness.
"He was always there for us and just about anybody who needed help," Spangberg said.
A funeral for Dima will be held on August 20th at 11am at the Russian Baptist Church 1205 E. 10th Avenue, Shakopee, MN 55379.
The funeral will be streamed live online.
