HE was just 20 minutes away from home and his family when good samaritan Walid El-Helou stopped to help at a highway pile-up
But that simple act of kindness cost Mr El-Helou his life – and robbed six children of their father and left his loving wife a widow.
He was one of the first on the scene after three cars collided on Sydney’s Hume Highway at Warwick Farm on Saturday night.
But as he went to comfort the injured, a fourth vehicle crashed into the cars, causing him massive injuries. He died at the scene a short time later.
His bereaved family paid tribute last night to the 42-year-old who lived the way he died – always helping others.
“He was loved by his family and we were all really close,” his eldest son Khaled said.
“He sacrificed his life for someone else. He’s unforgettable.”
His sister-in-law Bassima El-Helou said he really was a good samaritan. “He’s a hero. He never let anyone down. He’s a saviour, a very good samaritan,” Mrs El-Helou said.
“He’s a much missed man. He’s left every heart empty.”
Mr El-Helou was in the process of building a new house for his family.
“Dad worked hard at a whole lot of businesses to support us. He bought me a car,” Khaled said
The family is devastated over his death, leaving behind his wife Aminah and other children Khoder, 15, Mohamed, 12, Mustafa, 11, Amar, 6, and three-year-old Amir.
Police also praised Mr El-Helou.
“He was trying to help people and ended up losing his life,” Inspector Brendan Sharwood said. “It’s such a tragedy when a person dies, particularly when trying to do the right thing.”
Investigators are now piecing together exactly what happened.
“We know three cars were in an accident,” Insp Sharwood said. “They were travelling towards Cabramatta in a 70km/h zone. Mr El-Helou stopped to help and a fourth car crashed into those already on the road.”
Insp Sharwood said the sequence of events and which vehicle struck Mr El-Helou were all part of the investigation, adding: “There was inclement weather, it was dark and a lot happening.”
Tow truck driver Geoff Clark died in February after stopping near Mittagong to help a young woman whose car had broken down. Sarah Frazer, 23, also died instantly when they were struck by the truck.
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