Michael Lumahang's family, and the family of the boy he tried to save from drowning in the Ottawa River on Saturday, are calling him a hero.
Michael Lumahang drowned on Saturday evening while trying to help save a 12-year-old boy in the Ottawa River near Bate Island. His wife, Eva Soque, is trying to raise money to pay for his funeral. (Facebook)
He drowned Saturday just before 7 p.m. ET after jumping into the river to save a 12-year-old boy he had known for about a year.
Lumahang's family said he was an OK swimmer, and doesn't know what caused him to drown.
The boy was eventually saved by a 24-year-old man who had also jumped into the river..
'True meaning of unconditional and sacrificial love'
Cynthai Peralta, the mother of the 12-year-old boy who was eventually saved in the Ottawa River, said Michael Lumahang's rescue attempt was 'the true meaning of unconditional and sacrificial love.' (CBC)
showed that he really liked my kid and he's willing to be a big brother to them," said Cynthia Peralta, the boy's mother, who lives in the same building as Lumahang's family. "I'm not expecting a heroic act like this from a person who's not even a member of my family.
"I can really say that I owe Michael my son's second life, and what he did yesterday [Saturday] is the true meaning of unconditional and sacrificial love. He's a hero and my son will always remember him, forever, for sure."
Peralta said the first words her son whispered to her after the incident were, "It's my fault, it's my fault," and that he had nightmares on Saturday night.
Peralta said she told him it was an accident and that the community is working hard to support him.
'To me, for us, he is a hero,' mother says
On Sunday, family and friends gathered at the apartment of Lumahang's mother and stepfather.
Aquilina Tremblay, Michael Lumahang's mother, is among family members who consider her son a hero. (CBC)
"Michael, he's a hero," said his mother, Aquilina Tremblay. "To save a young boy, a 12-year-old boy, and he's not even related to him? ... He's a hero.
"To me, for us, he is a hero helping the life of a little boy."
Lumahang's wife, Eva Soque, stayed at the river's edge until 2 a.m. ET on Sunday while emergency crews searched the water for Lumahang's body. Police sent her home but then called her back to identify the body once they found it.
"I can see his face and he looks ... happy, like he was sleeping," Soque said. "I kept touching his face and kept praying that something can happen for him. All of our friends, they keep praying for him."
"I am trying to be strong, but it's very hard," she said.
Lumahang had recently cancelled his life insurance policy because he felt he couldn't afford it.
His family feels guilty asking the community for financial help, but doesn't know what else to do to help his wife pay for the funeral.
The family has created a Facebook page called the Michael Lumahang Memorial Page, where details of the fund will be posted.
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