SALEM, Oregon (KPTV/Gray News) – A family is mourning the loss of a man who saved a woman from drowning in an Oregon river.

“From talking to him every day to not talking to him at all. And the fact that he doesn’t approach the children, that’s not his style,” said Cori Engstrom.

Her brother, 35-year-old Derik Morganstern, died while rescuing a woman who could barely swim in the Willamette River.

According to police, the woman jumped into the river from a pedestrian bridge on August 12 at around 11 p.m. Witnesses said Derik Morganstern jumped into the river to save her.

Another of his sisters, Alaina Morganstern, said she spoke to the woman afterward.

“She went into the water and he yelled, ‘Are you OK?’ She said, ‘Yeah, leave me alone,'” Alaina Morganstern said. “He said, ‘Nope.’ And he ran into the river.”

Alaina Morganstern said Derik Morganstern told his dog to stay on shore and grabbed everything from his pockets before swimming to her.

Thanks to his heroic efforts, the woman managed to reach the shore safely.

But the current was strong, and Alaina Morganstern said the woman told her he knew he was in trouble.

“She said that was when he made a decision,” Alaina Morganstern said. “He pushed her far enough out of the current to get to shore and said, ‘It’s OK. Now is my time.'”

Salem police searched for days for Derik Morganstern. His body was found by a volunteer dive team on the fourth day of the search.

Alaina Morganstern expressed her gratitude to the dive team.

“They had just returned from the water rescue, contacted us and were here within 24 hours,” she said.

Alaina Morganstern said the area’s homeless community also played a “instrumental” role in finding her brother.

The name of the rescued woman was not released. She was taken to hospital after the rescue.

Alaina Morganstern said the woman told her she jumped because she “just had nothing else to do.”

Alaina Morganstern said the family is in contact with her and that she is getting the help she needs.

Now the family is honoring Derik Morganstern’s memory. They said he was a family man who helped anyone in need.

“His nieces, nephews, all the kids in general would beam when they saw him,” Alaina Morganstern said. “He decided to make sure everyone was safe before he even tried to get out.”

The family also said Derik Morganstern’s dog was doing well.

They plan to hold a celebration in honor of Morganstern on Saturday afternoon by the river.

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Editor’s note: This story mentioned suicide. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can reach the U.S. Suicide and Crisis Hotline by calling or texting 988.

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