Desperate final words of brave Texas dad who died saving kids and fiancee from floods
Julian Ryan, 27, died early on the morning of July 4, after fast-moving floodwaters from the Guadalupe River - which surged over 30 feet above its normal height - swept into his family's home in Ingram.
Julian's fiancee, Christina Wilson, said the water surged into their home so quickly that it reached knee-level in just 20 minutes, telling KHOU that Ryan died wild bravely saving his family's life.
She said" '[Water] just started pouring in, we had to fight the door to get it closed tried to hold the door closed, just so that too much didn't come in.'
'We ran back into the room and we started calling 911 but it just kept coming. We had no choice but to get out.'
In a final act of heroism, Julian punched through a window to help his fiancee, their children and his mother escape to the roof.
But, the glass tore through his arm, severing an artery and nearly detaching the limb.
Christina said of Julian injuries: 'It almost cut it clean off.'
Despite the pain, Ryan stayed focused on getting his family out safely. But with emergency responders unable to reach them in time, the father of two succumbed to his wounds hours later.
She said: 'About six o'clock my husband was dead. He had lost all of it... all of his blood..
Holding back tears, Christina recalled her fiance's harrowing final moments.
'He looked at me, the kids, and his mother and said, "I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all,"' she said, adding that Ryan's body was recovered later that morning after the water receded.
Loved ones say Ryan's bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten.
His sister, Connia . alas said: 'He died a hero. That will never go unnoticed.'
The heroic father's family is now mourning the loss of a man they describe as kind, funny and fiercely devoted to those he loved.
'He's the kindest person I've ever met in my life,' close friend Kris Roberts said. 'I'll forever love him no matter what.'
As they grieve, Ryan's relatives are also calling for changes in flood preparedness. They believe earlier warnings - like flood sirens - could have saved lives.
Christina said: 'If we'd heard a siren, we would've left. We had so many safe places to go.'
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cover funeral expenses and recover from the loss. In a statement posted to the fundraiser, Ryan's relatives said his death has left 'an unifillable void.'
'Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero,' the family wrote. 'While we are eternally grateful for his sacrifice, we are shattered by our loss.'
'He was known to have an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness. He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,' the fundraising page reads.
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