A man who was afraid of flying has sadly sacrificed his life after saving his girlfriend during a plane crash.
Reginald Hillard Jr died saving his girlfriend’s life
A man who is now hailed as a hero surprised many by giving his life for the girlfriend. Reginald Hillard Jr died saving his girlfriend’s life by pushing her out of the window of a crashing plane, and has been hailed a hero by his family,
The Sun reports.
The trip which was to be a surprise treat was organized by his partner, Brianna Davis because Hillard had phobia for flying. Sadly, on his first ever trip he died. The aircraft crashed just moments after take off at Lake Pontchartrain, in New Orleans.
The pilot and Hillard were both found in the water, while Davis was picked up by a private yacht and taken to hospital.
Yolanda White told WSDU: "He's the hero. He was a hero living. You know, he died that way."
Hillard's cousin, she added: "This was his first plane flight ever. First time he flew on a plane. And it was a surprise from his girlfriend Brianna."
The couple has posed for photos before boarding the plane, and it was Davis who told her boyfriend's family he saved her life and sacrificed his own.
White said Hillard was afraid of flying, but the father of three, was determined to give it a go when his partner surprised him. Davis is the only survivor of the crash. Officials say the pilot, who also died, and was found buckled in his seat, was experienced but didn't call for help.
White said: "They gave us the signal that there were two bodies in there, so we knew it was his and the pilot's."
Airport director, Ben Morris, said that the plane hit a rainstorm around the time the crash happened, and it was in a spot where there have been previous accidents.
Anthony Coleman, who is also a cousin of the rapper and artist said: "He loved his life and he lived it to the fullest. And this is God's will.
"There isn't (anything) we can do about it, but accept it."
The crash is being investigated by federal officials.