Family, classmates and professors are mourning the death of 30-year-old UC Davis medical student Joshua Brandon Crane. The five-year Navy veteran disappeared under the water Friday at a social event he organized for his medical school colleagues."He saw some women in distress in the San Juan Rapids," his sister Jessica Crane told KCRA 3. "No hesitation, he jumped off his board and he got in the water and got them out."Sacramento Metro Fire and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office recovered his body in the American River on Saturday."In every sense of the word, he was a hero," his sister said. "He was a hero to a lot of people, everyone views him that way. He's my biggest hero."Crane was born in Chico and raised with his sister by their single mother. Their father died 29 years ago Monday. He went to Chico High School, then joined the navy at the age of 18.He served for five years and was stationed at Camp Pendleton and in Okinawa, Japan. When he returned, he enrolled in Chico State for undergraduate classes, with dreams of going to medical school."He was holding out for Davis," his sister said. "That was the big one."Fast forward to this summer, Joshua was a fourth-year student at the UC Davis School of Medicine.The associate dean of students, Dr. Sharad Jain, told KCRA 3 he was working toward a residency in internal medicine. He dreamed of doing that at UC Davis, as well.During his time in medical school, Dr. Jain said Joshua volunteered with people experiencing homelessness, refugees who were new to the Sacramento area, and vulnerable and marginalized communities. Dr. Jain and Joshua met on Thursday, the day before he disappeared under the American River. The two had a special bond. "We talked about his hopes, his dreams, and his ideas for a career ahead," he reflected. "I felt like he was at a really good place at the time, so I think that made this loss even more tragic."Right now, the medical school is working with Joshua's family to arrange a memorial service.His classmates have put together a GoFundMe to help his family in the meantime. If you would like to help, click here.

Family, classmates and professors are mourning the death of 30-year-old UC Davis medical student Joshua Brandon Crane.

The five-year Navy veteran disappeared under the water Friday at a social event he organized for his medical school colleagues.

"He saw some women in distress in the San Juan Rapids," his sister Jessica Crane told KCRA 3. "No hesitation, he jumped off his board and he got in the water and got them out."

Sacramento Metro Fire and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office recovered his body in the American River on Saturday.

"In every sense of the word, he was a hero," his sister said. "He was a hero to a lot of people, everyone views him that way. He's my biggest hero."

Crane was born in Chico and raised with his sister by their single mother.

Their father died 29 years ago Monday.

He went to Chico High School, then joined the navy at the age of 18.

He served for five years and was stationed at Camp Pendleton and in Okinawa, Japan.

When he returned, he enrolled in Chico State for undergraduate classes, with dreams of going to medical school.

"He was holding out for Davis," his sister said. "That was the big one."

Fast forward to this summer, Joshua was a fourth-year student at the UC Davis School of Medicine.

The associate dean of students, Dr. Sharad Jain, told KCRA 3 he was working toward a residency in internal medicine. He dreamed of doing that at UC Davis, as well.

UC Davis School of Medicine

During his time in medical school, Dr. Jain said Joshua volunteered with people experiencing homelessness, refugees who were new to the Sacramento area, and vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Dr. Jain and Joshua met on Thursday, the day before he disappeared under the American River. The two had a special bond.

"We talked about his hopes, his dreams, and his ideas for a career ahead," he reflected. "I felt like he was at a really good place at the time, so I think that made this loss even more tragic."

Right now, the medical school is working with Joshua's family to arrange a memorial service.

His classmates have put together a GoFundMe to help his family in the meantime. If you would like to help, click here.

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Joshua Brandon Crane, a Navy veteran and UC Davis medical student, dies after saving others in the American River - KCRA Sacramento