Good Samaritan David Reichenberg Dies Trying To Save Father, Son From Flood Waters In Spring Valley
SPRING VALLEY, NY (CBSNewYork) -- A good Samaritan lost his life this weekend trying to save a father and his son amid the winds and rain of Hurricane Irene on Sunday.
Many, including his heartbroken son, are calling 50-year-old David Reichenberg a hero after his efforts.
"He saved people's lives without thinking," Akiva Reichenberg told CBS 2's Scott Rapoport.
Reichenberg's heroism cost the husband and father of four his life, and Akiva, his dad.
"It seems like a dream. A bad dream," he said. "Like it's not possible it happened."
On a flooded street in Spring Valley Sunday, Reichenberg saw a father and his 6-year-old child entangled with a live, downed electrical wire from the storm. Both of them were shocked and burned.
Police say Reichenberg rushed to save them, pulling them away from the power line, but it cost him his life.
"He was lying on the floor and his clothes were on fire," said eyewitness Lou Weinberg. "I thought it was a grass fire at first, but it was him."
Reichenberg was electrocuted from the wire, killed trying to save someone else's little boy.
Reichenberg's emotional brother felt shattered, yet proud of the rescue effort.
"He went in selflessly," said his brother Eric Reichenberg. "Helped other people. It cost him his life."
Inside the Reichenberg home, family is sitting Shiva, mourning a loving husband, devoted father and selfless soul.
"I'm proud of him," said Akiva. "He was born a hero and he died a hero."
The injured child is now in serious condition at Westchester Medical Center. The father was treated for burns and released.
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