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A GoFundMe page said Pablo Hernandez Cruz died at Weymouth Furnace County Park in Hamilton Township on Wednesday, July 17. He was 49 years old, 6abc Action News reported.
Hernandez Cruz went into the river to help the children when they were struggling in the water.
"As he went in and pushed them to safety, he was swept under and tragically wasn't able to resurface," wrote Joe Pagliuca, who's Hernandez Cruz's brother-in-law and the fundraiser's organizer.
The GoFundMe page had raised more than $12,600 from at least 175 donations as of Thursday, July 18.
"Unfortunately, with his sudden and heroic passing, Pablo's wife, two daughters, and unborn grandson will need the support of all their family, friends, and neighbors to help them today and for the foreseeable future," Pagliuca wrote.
Hernandez Cruz was brought to a hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead, FOX 29 Philadelphia reported. A 12-year-old was released from a nearby hospital and an eight-year-old was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
The GoFundMe remembered Hernandez Cruz as "an amazing father, husband, and cook" who worked at several Atlantic City restaurants and made a "legendary" Thanksgiving turkey gravy.
"No one worked harder than Pablo and his number one priority was always providing for his family," Pagliuca wrote. "Seven years ago, when his pre-teen daughter was diagnosed with cancer, Pablo sacrificed his career to ensure he would always be by her side. He took on the role of caretaker and as always proved to be the glue that held his family together."
Pagliuca also said Hernandez Cruz "tirelessly" made improvements and performed tasks around the family's home even despite working up to 18-hour days.
A father named Paul Horsey told FOX 29 that Hernandez Cruz pushed the children to where first responders could reach them. Horsey also said his son Hunter found Hernandez Cruz unconscious under the water and brought him to paramedics on the riverbank.
Weymouth Furnace has signs in English and Spanish telling people not to swim at the former site of two paper mills. In June 2021, 23-year-old Carlos Alvarado of Hammonton drowned at the park off County Route 559.
Activities like canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are allowed on the dangerous water. The depth of the river drops off fast and currents are strong.
The park reportedly reopened on Thursday.
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