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David Wayne Becker of Greensburg was pulled from the house fire on Route 819 near Mayo Road just before 9 p.m. on Feb. 10, authorities say.
A thermal imaging camera was used to find David Wayne in the home, then first responders gave him CPR before he was flown to a Pittsburgh area hospital, according to multiple fire departments statements at press conferences on Friday.
"We had a neighbor lady that came across the street and says that the mother dropped a 2-year-old baby off the back deck to the neighbor," Robert Rosatti of Slickville Fire Department said to the press on Friday. "The neighbor caught the baby, and the mother came over the deck and the neighbor lady assisted the mother to the ground."
The baby was later identified as his 3-year-old brother Johnny, according to a GoFundMe page created by his aunt Georgia Rosatti.
David Wayne died at the hospital on Sunday morning according to his family and his school.
He was a fifth grader at Metzgar Elementary, Greensburg Salem School District Superintendent Kenneth Bissell explained in a letter on the district's website.
The district had additional counselors on Monday for any students or staff who need support.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with David's family as they grieve the loss of their child," Bissell said.
David Wayne "was the kindest 11-year-old boy who brought so much joy into my life and the lives of our family from the moment he joined us on this Earth. He would give the shirt off his back, and he took so much pride in being the best big brother," his aunt writes on the GoFundMe. "My heart and the hearts of my family are broken. We are grateful for the wonderful 11 years that we had with David, and that he will be able to save others through his organ donations. He truly is a hero. We will miss our David Wayne more than words can say."
His parents were "in the process of renovating a house and turning it into a home for them and their two boys, and because their house was still being renovated, they did not have homeowners insurance. These funds would help with David’s funeral & burial, and the financial recovery of his family."
The GoFundMe has raised $21,830 of a $30,000 goal from 299 donors in less than 24 hours. The top donation was $1,100 from Stacy Koorey, as on Monday, Feb. 13.
Funeral and memorial service details for David Wayne have not been released.
He is survived by his family, friends, and classmates.
Nine fire companies responded to this house fire which remains under investigation by Pennsylvania state police fire Marshals.
Click here if you would like to donate to the GoFundMe campaign.
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