A young 6-year-old hero who allegedly used his body to try in vain to protect his 3-year-old little brother from a fire died alongside him last week, not without saving nine other little lives through their organ donations .
“I hope that their hearts continue to beat and that the recipients can have their big hearts within them,” said the father of the two young victims, James Brice, alongside his wife Raina Brice in an interview with People. It is a dark event (…) but we are not running away from it. We want to shed light and help those who are suffering to find purpose.”
On April 14, the two inseparable brothers William Clarke Brice, 6 years old, and Zachariah Henry Brice, 3 years old, were declared brain dead next to each other, a few days after their family residence in Virginia went up in flames on April 10, the “New York Times” reported Thursday.
Although the grandparents and one of their 8-year-old older brothers had managed to escape the home unharmed, the two young boys were found unconscious, huddled together.
“William covered and protected Zachariah like a shield. We knew that was his character because that’s exactly who he is: a hero. Zachariah always followed William everywhere and William was so proud. He told everyone: “He’s my little brother,” the bereaved father told the American media.
Despite first aid which revived them after 45 minutes, the two boys succumbed to the effects of smoke inhalation after four days in hospital.
But despite his pain, the boys’ parents chose to allow organ donation, so their two heroes could save up to nine lives. A guard of honor through the corridors of the National Children’s Hospital was held to pay tribute to them last Thursday, according to videos shared on Facebook.
A celebration of their lives is expected to be held Saturday in Springfield, while parents have invited their loved ones to dress in blue or green, the brothers’ favorite colors, or dressed up as superheroes or NFL players, to focus on the positive.
“(What you have) here today could be gone tomorrow. Enjoy every moment, tell your children, tell your family that you love them,” the father concluded to People.
