“Painful”, says father, about hearing his two children’s heartbeats before organ donation | Stay in

Zachariah, 3, and William Brice, 6, died from smoke inhalation after a tragic fire at their grandparents’ house in Northern Virginia, United States, last week – and now, their organs will be donated to save the lives of others people. “Doctors said his organs were still strong,” his father, James Brice, tells PEOPLE. “That was the most painful thing for us – we could still hear his heartbeat on the screen and his vital signs, but there was no brain activity because of the smoke inhalation,” he lamented.

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Zachariah and William were unresponsive for 45 minutes after firefighters pulled them from the burning home. Although their bodies did not appear to have suffered burns, the damage done internally was too extensive for recovery. While parents James and Reina, and his brothers — Seth, 13, and Logan, 8 — “prayed that they would survive their injuries,” James needed to hear that their children’s organs could be used to help other children.

“We are Christians and we have faith and we know that other people are praying for the miracles we have done,” James said. “If we could be an answered prayer or a miracle for another family, that would give us some comfort.” Then, William and Zachariah underwent organ donation surgery. As the two were led down the hospital hallway, family and hospital staff lined the hallways and applauded. [assista no fim da reportagem].

According to James, the boys’ organ donations make them heroes. He told PEOPLE that while the boys were in the hospital, the family was visited by the fire crew who responded to the fire. “They told us that when William and Zach were found, William was actually covering and protecting Zachariah like a shield,” explains James. “He was like that. He is a hero,” he stated.

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Upon telling the family the news, the firefighters presented the boys with firefighter medallions, naming them honorary firefighters. The fact that the boys died side by side, James says, was not surprising considering their bond. “Zachariah was always following William everywhere and William was very proud. He would tell everyone, ‘That’s my little brother,’” says James.

“Losing them both at the same time was very, very difficult,” lamented James. “Seth, our teenager, is trying to be strong, but then he will have moments of anger, questions and tears. Logan, our 8-year-old son, is wondering who’s going to play with us in the backyard now,” he continued. Despite the sadness, James said he and Reina want to focus on their sons’ heroism and the joy they brought to so many people. “ We are balancing the pain of missing them and at the same time being proud that our 6-year-old son made such a heroic choice,” said James “Through organ donations, we also have hope that another family can experience one. miracle thanks to our boys”, he concluded.