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Mother, bystander killed trying to save 4-year-old girl in Provo River

Posted at 10:46 AM, May 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-30 17:04:18-04

Brende DeDios and 4-year-old daughter London DeDios. Courtesy: Luis DeDios GoFundMe

WEST JORDAN, Utah - The mother of a 4-year-old girl and a bystander were killed trying to save the young girl after she fell into the Provo River.

The girl's mother, 34-year-old Brenda DeDios, and the witness, 30-year-old Sandy resident Sean Thayne, were pulled unconscious from the water three miles downstream near Timpanogos Park.

They were rushed to the hospital where they later died.

Brenda DeDios lived in West Jordan with her husband and four young children.

The family is now facing the loss of loved ones, funerals and supporting Brenda's other young children.

Sean Thyane died trying to save 4-year-old London DeDios who fell in the Provo River.

Relatives told Fox 13, "Brenda was loving and caring for all and would do anything for her children. Her family will miss her greatly."

Thayne's family sent Fox 13 this statement:

We would like to send our sad condolences to the other drowning victims as only we can understand their grief at this tragic loss.
Sean was a loving, brave and selfless man. At 6’3”, he looked over and looked out for all of us. Born August 25,1986, Sean was a self-taught computer programmer for Playground Sessions, a Quincy Jones company. He had an infectious smile that couldn't help but spread, especially when he was trying to win an argument with you. He was always selfless, willing to give his all to help those he loved. Sean was a student of the world, he loved to learn, travel, expand his horizons and meet new people and had a keen mind. He was the second oldest of 5 with an older sister and 3 younger brothers. Sean was learning Chinese on the internet when he found his beautiful wife Xin-Li Thayne, known as Poppy."

"So many tragedies here," Utah County Sgt. Spencer Cannon said. "Tragic a child went in, tragic two people went in to save that child are now passed away. Yes, it's preventable."

The DeDios family is asking for privacy at this time.

A fundraising account has been set up for London and Brenda DeDios.

Click here to visit the GoFundMe memorial fund page for Sean Thayne.