JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A family is still grieving after the death of a 6-month-old Friday night, and they are now expressing gratitude to the man who did everything he could to save her.
The story was almost a miraculous rescue Friday evening, when a man pulled 6-month-old Tiffanie Koehler from her bed out of a burning house and got her to paramedics. Sadly, the trip to the hospital was too much for the little girl, and she died later at the hospital.
Recommended Videos
Relatives of the Koehler family have wanted to thank the man who rescued her, James Hansell. Family members reached out to News4Jax, looking to get in touch with him to thank him, and they're working on that now.
Hansell said thoughts of what happened have been plaguing him all weekend, and he is still heartbroken that Tiffanie died at the hospital.
Three other adults were taken to the hospital after the fire and all three recovering well.
News4Jax spoke with Tiffanie's grandmother Monday evening, and she said the family is just pulling together right now after the loss.
"I think that was wonderful. He was a fantastic man," Norma Smith said. "(He) did the best he could. He don't have nothing to feel bad about. He did the best he could."
The family members told News4Jax the parents of the child are staying with friends right now and are not certain whether they'll be able to move back into the home.