Central Falls Man Who Tried to Save Drowing Girl Hailed As Hero

CENTRAL FALLS, RI — Valentin Cardona Sanchez was celebrating Father's Day at Conimicut Point in Warwick when he dove into the turbulent waters trying to save the life of a young girl.

Sanchez, 35, of Central Falls, died trying to to rescue 10-year-old Yoskarly Martinez, who also died. Sanchez' body was recovered Sunday, and Martinez' body was recovered by search and rescue teams on Monday.

Sanchez did not know the young girl. He was at the beach with his wife and young son when his wife alerted him that a swimmer might be in trouble. He jumped into the water in an effort to save the child.

Sanchez' niece, Isamar Reyes spoke with WPRI and said her uncle was "always putting people first. Always about his family, about everybody else before himself." She said the family was devastated.

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Two other men — including Martinez’s uncle — were pulled from the water and taken to the hospital Sunday, one in critical condition.

Cardona Sanchez’s family has started a GoFundMe page to help return his remains to his native Guatemala.

"My name is Angel Cardona," the GoFundMe reads. I am the brother of the late Valentin Cardona.

My brother immigrated to the United States because of the crime and poverty that exists in Guatemala. Valentin was a good father, brother, husband and son. He served in various ministries in the Catholic Church.Valentin felt empathy for others, he always put other people first thanhis own life. Yesterday on the beach trying to save a little girl who was drowning shows his love for others and how selfless he was."

A separate GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for Martinez’s family. Yoskarly was the oldest of three siblings and "the smartest, funnest, most loving 10-year-old you could ever meet," family member Lyamaris Gomes said.