Metro

Dylan Smith, hero who rescued six people during superstorm, drowns in Puerto Rico

A surfer who saved six neighbors in the Rockaways during Hurricane Sandy drowned yesterday while on vacation in Puerto Rico, officials said.

The body of Dylan Smith, 23, was found floating near his surfboard in the tourist destination of Rincon, police said.

Smith (inset), who worked as a lifeguard at Rockaway Beach, was hailed as a hero for his daring rescue efforts as the superstorm devastated his neighborhood.

Smith and Michael McDonnell, 51, were named as People magazine Heroes of 2012 for risking their lives.

They used Smith’s surfboard to float a half-dozen people — who were trapped on a porch by six feet of water — to safety.

“Dylan Smith of all people didn’t deserve this,” Twitter user @ray_marten tweeted last night.

“Saved my sister the night of sandy. He will be missed.”

Tweeter @GANUNdrum said Smith’s bravery was “one of the few bright spots that came out of the storm. why do the good have to die young?”

A neighbor of Smith’s in Rockaway Park said Smith “was one of a kind. We’re going to miss him a lot.”

Smith, who was on vacation with friends, is survived by his parents and a younger brother, according to the neighbor, who did not want her name printed.