DeKai Armonrassi, 48, was struck by a train Tuesday afternoon as he tried to help the driver of a minivan that plunged down an embankment.
The train severed DeKai's legs. First responders pulled him out of the ravine and rushed him to Grady Hospital, where he died.
His family says he was always the first to jump into help.
"He just wanted to help that man and did what comes naturally, he just ran to help him at his own expense, losing his life," said Fonseca Richards, DeKai's mother.
DeKai's sister, Althea Wilson, says that she's still in shock over the loss of her brother, but she's not surprised he died trying to help someone.
"He would have stopped and helped anyone, anyone in need he would have helped. He is my hero," said Wilson.
DeKai's family says he was driving down the road when he saw the minivan go down the embankment. He jumped out of his car and ran down to help. That's when he tripped and was hit by the train.
"That was a heroic act that he did, blessing someone else's family like that," said Richards.
The train narrowly missed the minivan. The 83-year-old driver has broken ribs but is expected to be OK.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:59 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:59:14 GMT
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DeKai Armonrassi, 48, was struck by a train Tuesday afternoon as he tried to help the driver of a minivan that plunged down an embankment.
