A dad was tragically killed while trying to help a family of ducks cross a busy road as his children watched on in horror. The man was attempting to herd the birds to the safety when he was suddenly struck by a car in Rocklin, California.
He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene on Stanford Ranch Road and Park Drive on Thursday night, the Mirror reports. A 12-year-old witness was in the car with his mum when he saw the kind-hearted man, who has not yet been named, trying to help animals.
William Wimsatt told 3KCRA the dad was met by applause as he guided the ducklings to safety, with the traffic remaining stationary even though the lights were green. He said: “He got out of the car and was shooing the ducks and everyone was clapping because he was being really nice."
Young William, who took pictures of the selfless act, added: "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 and then right after that, the second after that...." he said the car hit him.
William said the car seemed to appear out of nowhere. He continued: "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's mum immediately ran over to comfort the man's children who witnessed the devastating scene. Another motorist, Summer Peterson, told CBS 13 her children saw the collision. She said: "They were saying, 'Oh, it's so cute. It's so nice of him.' And then all of a sudden he was hit by a car."
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.
In a statement, Rocklin Police said: "The 17-year-old driver remained at the scene of the collision. Emergency first responders arrived to assist, however the man died at the scene. The Major Accident Investigation Team was activated and responded to the area.
"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."
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