A helping dad was tragically hit and killed by a car just moments after helping a family of ducks across a busy road.
The father came to the rescue after seeing the mother duck and her babies having trouble crossing.
The kind man jumped out of his own vehicle after spotting the mother duck and her babies struggling to make their way through traffic at a busy intersection in California, USA.
According to local news reports, other road users had come to a complete standstill and watched on as he heroically guided them to safety, with many even applauding after he’d done so.
Seconds later, he was struck by a car and died at the scene, all while his own children helplessly sat in his car waiting for him to come back.
The driver of the car who ran down the father, a 17-year-old girl, immediately stopped and is cooperating with the investigation into the collision, police have said.
Several families and other children also witnessed the horrifying incident at Stanford Ranch Road and Park Drive on Thursday night.
Describing it as his ‘final act of kindness’, local news channel, KCRA 3, spoke to one 12-year-old who saw the tragedy unfold and had taken pictures of the victim’s touching gesture shortly beforehand.
Speaking to the channel, with his mother’s permission, William Wimsatt explained that no one moved through the intersection and drivers were waiting despite the lights being green.
He said: ‘He got out of the car and was shooing the ducks and everyone was clapping because he was being really nice.
‘He helped them get up over the kerb because all the little baby duckies were having trouble and then he walked in front of our car.
‘My mom rolled down the window and said, “Good job, good job,” and I said, “Good job” to him too.’
The second after the family had thanked the man, he was hit by the car, which William says seemed to come out of nowhere.
He said: ‘I didn’t see the car actually hit him. All I remember is the sound and then him flying across the intersection. His shoes and one of his socks were right in front of our car.’
William says his sister fortunately didn’t see the incident because she was in the backseat focusing on the ducks.
Reporter Michelle Bandur said: ‘It went from a scene of pure joy and happiness to the worst outcome imaginable.’
Rocklin Police Department confirmed it is investigating a single car accident that killed a man at approximately 8.15pm local time on May 18 after he’d parked his vehicle at the intersection.
‘As the man was in the intersection, a teenage driver was headed eastbound on Stanford Ranch Boulevard. This juvenile driver struck the pedestrian who was in the roadway.
‘No arrest was made, and the incident is still under investigation. We would like to extend our condolences to all involved in this tragic event.’
In tribute to the unnamed man, Summer and her children made a temporary memorial at the site of the incident, with her son even adding some rubber ducks as a reminder of the victim’s good deed.
