Hero boy, 10, dies saving his five-year-old sister after she fell into a river

Hero boy, 10, dies saving his five-year-old sister after she fell into a river

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A 10-year-old boy from South Dakota drowned over the weekend while saving his younger sister who had fallen into the Big Sioux River.

The body of Ricky Lee Sneve was recovered by divers on Saturday night, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook.

His mother, Nicole Eufers, told the Argus Leader that Ricky was out on the river Saturday with his father and younger siblings when several of the children fell into the water near Hudson, in southeastern South Dakota.

Ricky Lee Sneve, 10, drowned in the Big Sioux River in South Dakota on Saturday after saving his five-year-old sister, Chevelle.

Eufers said Ricky jumped in to save his five-year-old sister, Chevelle, and got her to shore, but when his father and siblings looked, Ricky was missing.

The boy's father, Chad Sneve, said his son was the type of boy to do anything for anyone. Ricky was smart, dedicated and conservative, Sneve said.

'He was generous, kind and special in more ways than I can begin to explain,' Chad Sneve said. 'He was my everything, and he touched everyone he encountered.'

He was the oldest of the Eufers' four children and had one step-sibling.

'He taught me how to love and appreciate life. He never failed to amaze me,' Eufers said.

The boy's uncle, Ricky Eufers, wrote in the description of an online fundraiser of his young namesake: 'Ricky gave his life trying to do what he knew was best.'

The uncle described the 10-year-old as intelligent, adventurous and loving. 

Several of Ricky's siblings had fallen into the water near Hudson, and the boy jumped in to save them.

The boy's mother said her son enjoyed fishing, working on his four-wheeler with his step-father, and helping his step-mother in the kitchen.

'I love you my sweet boy!!!' wrote the grieving mom-of-four in a Facebook post early Monday.