Man who drowns after successfully saving two children hailed ‘a hero’

By Amina Hilda

United States authorities reported that a man drowned after saving two kids who got into danger while swimming at an eastern Pennsylvania state park.

Marvin Alexan Fernandez Chicas, 37, allegedly “disappeared in the water” after saving the kids who were swimming in Nockamixon State Park on Thursday night, according to the Bucks County coroner’s office.

He was out fishing with his son when he noticed the other children were in trouble.

According to the coroner’s office, an autopsy determined that the cause of his death was drowning, and the manner of death looked to be unintentional. Coroner Meredith Buck issued a statement expressing the coroner’s office’s “deepest condolences” to the deceased man’s family.

Wesley Robinson, spokesperson for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, told NBC News that the two children were seen struggling in the Tohickon Creek in the cliffs area.

According to eyewitnesses, the 37-year-old man “suddenly disappeared” into the water after rescuing the two children from drowning.

“Chicas went in and got the children to shore, then began to struggle,” Robinson went on.

Chicas’ body was later found by divers in the lake more than two hours after the incident.

A gofundme which described him as ‘a hero’ has already raised over $36.000.