Photo: Dylan Smith (right), Pictured here with his brother saved lives during Sandy
When Superstorm Sandy pummeled the east coast, people stood up and did what was necessary to save lives. People like 23-year-old surfer Dylan Smith of Belle Harbor, New York risked their lives to save others.
Sadly, on Sunday morning Smith’s body was found floating near his surf board in the waters of Maria’s Beach of the coast of Puerto Rico’s western community of Rincon. Though a local resident pulled Smith to shore, the doctor who tried to resuscitate him was unable to find any signs of life.
For his bravery during Sandy, Smith, who is also a lifeguard, was recently selected as one of “People Magazine’s Heroes of 2012.” During the storm, Smith and a man named Michael McDonnel, used Smith’s surf board and a rope to bring six people to safety after a fire broke out in Rockaways.
Though Puerto Rican police are still investigating, it appears Smith may have died doing what he loved on a vacation intended to help him “blow off some steam.”
After rescuing people during Sandy, many attempted to talk about his heroism, but the young surfer wanted little to do with the spotlight, telling them, “I don’t want to talk about me. I don’t think I’m a hero. Absolutely not. I just did what I was trained to. I’m a lifeguard. I surf. This is what I do.”
