Palestinian Territories

Brothers Tried Saving Palestine Man Swept Away By Flood Waters

Giovani Oliva, 30, was swept away by flood waters on a county road after more than 7 inches of rain fell in an hour late Friday evening.

Oliva was headed home after a family gathering at a relatives house in Palestine, said Oliva's brother, Marcelino Oliva.

"His truck stalled when he was driving through the heavy water. A tree had fallen in the road," said Oliva. "He was just three or four feet away from us. Waters were about waist deep. We had him in our grasp and let him go."

Oliva said Giovani exited his truck and tried running for higher ground.

"That was the last time we saw him. He got swept away from the current. He was just trying to get home."

Giovani Oliva leaves behind a wife and two young children.

"Not only did he have a big smile, he had a big heart," said Oliva. "He was a good father, a hard worker and one of the best brothers we had. He'll be missed."

The Oliva family is in the process of planning funeral arrangements.

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