The good Samaritan who died on Saturday trying to rescue two people who were swept off a beach breakwall by a large wave was identified as a fisherman and father of six.
Francisco Camacho, 35, of Compton, jumped into the water off San Pedro about 6:30 a.m. to help a 49-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy who were swept off of the Cabrillo Beach breakwall, said Camacho's sister in law, Brenda Castro.
"He did a good deed and lost his life doing it," she said through tears. "He was giving, always wanted to help."
Camacho was among several others on the breakwall who tried to rescue the people in the water. Castro said he came to the breakwall to fish every morning, knew the dangers and knew how to swim.
Both the 49 year old and the 14 year old are in good health and have been released from the hospital, said Brian Humphrey, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.
The 49-year-old man was able to pull himself out of the water, officials said.
The rock jetty separates the Port of Los Angeles from the Pacific, and can sometimes be washed over by wakes from passing ships, or large swells from distant storms.
U.S. & World
Camacho's family said that they are in need of donations to pay for a funeral service. They asked anyone willing to donate to contact the family at the email Olgadiaz1526@yahoo.com.
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