WATCH: Father sacrifices self to save drowning daughter

A family is grieving after a father drowned in an effort to save his stepdaughter.

Thirty-year-old Michael Scott Barker and his family were four-wheeling in Grahn, Kentucky when his stepdaughter stepped into the creek to wash off her shoes.

Barker’s sister, Jessica, told NBC affiliate WSAZ that the middle school-aged girl fell into the water and became stuck. Barker went into the creek to pull the girl out but got caught in the 2.5-metre-deep water himself.

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The girl was saved, but he never managed to get out.

Divers from the Grayson Fire Department recovered his body and his funeral was held Wednesday.

“My heart is broken into a thousand pieces,” said Jessica. “But if he had to go, I’m glad it was in a heroic manner and that it was for his kids.”