Fundraiser for 'selfless' dad who died saving his stepdaughter from Devon river

A fundraiser has been launched to raise money for the family of a man who died while rescuing his stepdaughter from the River Erme in South Devon.The man - named locally as Reza - died after jumping into the river to save his stepdaughter. At around 8pm on Tuesday 15 June, police officers and paramedics responded to a report of a man entering the River Erme near Station Road, Ivybridge, to save a child who was struggling in the water.The man got into trouble and was confirmed dead at the scene when paramedics arrived.His next of kin were informed, according to Devon and Cornwall Police. The child, meanwhile, was taken to hospital.

A fundraising page has been set up by a friend of Reza's fiancee to pay for a funeral and to help fly his body home to his mother in Shiraz in Iran.

Heidi Moissard said, "I am setting up this Go Fund Me on behalf of my friend Kaylie McGrath who tragically lost her soulmate Reza when he heroically jumped into the river to save his step-daughter Khloe who is my daughter Eva's school friend.

"Kaylie has lost a wonderful man who cherished her, who loved her daughters and the precious daughter they shared together. 

The fundraiser has raised more than £4,000 to "help Kaylie give Reza the send-off he deserves".