Local

Good Samaritan killed trying to help man trapped in minivan

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Family members of a good Samaritan who was killed Tuesday said he was trying to save a driver trapped on train tracks.

A minivan got stuck on the tracks near Roosevelt Highway in south Fulton County.

The man's family told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri they're not surprised Dekai Armonrassi risked his life.

"I was sad. It was sad. But  was happy that he passed doing something helping somebody being an angel," Dionne Roberts said.

Roberts said her cousin, Armonrassi, 48, was always helping others.

Police said Armonrassi was one of several people who rushed down this embankment off Roosevelt Highway to help a distressed driver trapped in his car by the train tracks.

"He is that type of person he would do anything for anybody," Armonrassi said

Witnesses say the driver, Herbert Sinkfield, 83, lost control and slid down the embankment, flipping over.

People who rushed to help describe a horrifying scene as they suddenly heard the train and scrambled to get out of its way.

"The guy run up across the tracks. And then turned around and come back and fell in front of the train and it cut both his legs off," said Jeff Jones

Jones was among those who tried to help and then was forced to watch as Armonrassi slipped before the oncoming train.

"It was awful, it was awful. God bless him," Jones said.

The train connected with part of the minivan. Crews took Sinkfield to Grady Memorial Hospital where his son said he is recovering from cracked ribs and the shock over what a stranger did for him.

"He was a human angel. He was an angel out here like Jesus Christ. We pray to," Roberts said. "That's all I can say."

Armonrassi's family said it's a comfort to know.

"Tremendous. A deep hole in our heart that will take a long time to be filled. I don't know if it will ever be filled," Roberts said.