A “heroic” Massachusetts dad died while trying to save his estranged wife and her teen son from a fast-moving river in New Hampshire, according to cops and his family.
Vincent Parr, 37, was at the White Mountains on Sunday when his ex and one of her children got caught in a fast stretch of the Swift River and could not get out on their own, according to New Hampshire State Police.
“The father attempted to rescue them and ultimately became caught in the current himself,” police said.
“The mother and child got to shore, and bystanders helped bring the victim to the shoreline,” police said. Parr died at the scene despite bystanders attempting CPR.
They had been “enjoying the water” for hours until the “freak incident” killed the “heroic” dad, Sgt. Nicholas Haroutunian of New Hampshire Marine Patrol told WMUR 9 News.
Parr’s mother, Becky Parr, told WBZ News that the two people her son tried to save were his estranged wife and her 19-year-old son from a previous marriage. Neither mother nor son were identified.
Vincent Parr tried to save his estranged wife and her son after they got caught in a fast stretch of the Swift River.
The unfortunate event happened at White Mountains. WMUR“He knew he had to do what was right at the cost that he paid for it. And he didn’t care about the cost that he paid for it,” his mom said proudly.
In fact, “from the day he was born, he was so selfless,’’ said the grieving mom, who also goes by Becca.
“I know he didn’t think for a moment, ‘I could die,’ he just did what he could. He was a loving soul, kind-hearted and never put himself first.”
The group was enjoying the outdoors before Parr had to jump in.
Parr’s death came just days after another Massachusetts resident vacationing in the White Mountains National Forest drowned trying to rescue her 10-year-old son who had fallen into a swift current.
Bystanders were able to pull Melissa Bagley’s child to safety, but the 44-year-old woman could not be saved.
With Post wires
