Local

Family discusses good Samaritan killed in rescue attempt

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The brother of a good Samaritan who died trying to rescue a crash victim said his sibling spent a lifetime helping people.
     
Collin Young said he's not surprised his brother died helping someone.

"That's just his character. If anybody's in need he's the first one to offer assistance," Young told Channel 2s Tom Jones.

Dekai Ammonrasi, 48, had just finished voting and was headed to work when he came across the crash Tuesday. As he drove down Roosevelt Highway, he saw 83-year-old Herbert Sinkfield's van go off a 50-foot embankment and land near train tracks.

Ammonrasi and three others ran down to help Sinkfield, who was pinned inside. But as they tried to get him out, a train approached. The other bystanders ran to safety but said Ammonrasi ran the opposite direction.

"And I guess he decided to turn around and come back over to where we was at and tripped and fell on the tracks," said Jeff Jones, who also tried to help Sinkfield.
           
The train hit Ammonrosi, severing both his legs. He died at the hospital.
           
His brother wants him to be remembered for giving his life to save someone else's, "Just like that, as a hero. He's been a hero throughout his whole life," Young said.
           
Sinkfield's son, Moya, said Ammonrasi was heaven-sent.

"Jesus Christ sent him as an angel. He was a human angel. He was an angel like Jesus Christ we pray to," Sinkfield said.
           
Moya Sinkfield said his father is in intensive care but doing OK. He said he was sad to hear someone lost his life trying to save him and doesn't know why his father left the road.

The younger Sinkfield said his father told him he went to the doctor and only remembers driving down the road.

"He blacked out. He don't know what happened from there," he said.
           
Ammonrasi's family has set up the Dekai Ammonrasi memorial fund in his honor at any Wells Fargo Bank. Funeral services are pending.