‘ALWAYS THE GOOD ONES’: Donna Moroney (left) is consoled yesterday over the death of her nephew, Dylan Smith (inset), who was hailed for using his surfboard to rescue Rockaway residents from Sandy. (Ellis Kaplan)
Rockaway residents rescued by a daring surfer during Hurricane Sandy are now grieving over the tragic drowning of the young man, who risked his life doing “what he thought was right.’’
Dylan Smith, 23, who used his surfboard to float six of his neighbors to safety, died Sunday in Puerto Rico when massive waves pulled him under as he surfed there on vacation
“My heart bleeds for his family. He didn’t deserve this. He saved my sister, and he didn’t want to be thanked,’’ Ray Marten Jr., 15, said yesterday.
“He just did it because that’s what he thought was right,” the teen said, recalling how Smith pulled Ray’s 13-year-old sister, Lauren — struggling to stay afloat in the storm-fueled waves — onto his board and paddled to land.
On other trips, he carried five people — some of whom had been trapped on their porches — to safety.
Smith’s family was devastated.
“All Mary and Timmy and Jake want is Dylan home for Christmas,” said a family friend, referring to Smith’s mom, his FDNY dad, and his younger brother.
The hero’s aunt, Donna Moroney, said his mom “doesn’t have his body to hold. She wants to hug and kiss him. She just lay in his bed all day yesterday.”
“Why is it always the good ones?” she asked. “He saved all those people; he put his life at risk.’’
Moroney said Smith had been on the island four days when he died.
Other surfers were nearby when he was pulled underwater said Puerto Rican National Police spokesman Ruben Alvarez.
When Smith resurfaced, surfers paddled him to shore. One of them, a doctor, began CPR but was not able to revive him.
“It was pretty dangerous out there. The waves were big, and the current was strong,” Alvarez said.
Smith was named one of People magazine’s Heroes of 2012 for his bravery the night of Sandy.
In addition to saving his neighbors, he also helped them rebuild.
“Dylan was helping people even after this. He was helping neighbors clear out their property, rip out basements,’’ Ray Marten Sr. said.
“Whatever was needed, he was there doing.”
Neighbors couldn’t bear the thought of Smith’s family suffering during the holiday.
“It’s Christmas Eve. The timing is just awful,” said local resident Emalia Cann, 51.
“I haven’t even gone in and seen the family yet. What can I say to them? I could just give them a big hug,’’ she added.
“I’ve known Dylan since he was 6 years old. He’s a hero. He saved so many people the night of the storm.”