Joshua O. Bradbury’s love of animals reflected his selfless nature, according to his family.

He would risk his life to help people and animals, said his sister, Jazzelyn Bradbury. “That’s the kind of person he was.”

Bradbury, 30, of Koloa died Tuesday after he rescued a dog from rapid-­moving waters in Waikomo Stream during a torrential storm from remnants of Hurricane Lane.

He is the sole person who died during the severe storm on Kauai.

Firefighters and Ocean Safety lifeguards responded to a 911 call from Bradbury’s best friend, Noah Foote, at about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Foote said he was in his backyard with Bradbury observing the rapid stream waters when they saw a loose yellow Labrador retriever on the opposite side of the stream. The dog — about a year old — jumped into the water.

Without hesitation, Bradbury jumped in after the dog, grabbed it, and pushed it toward Foote before strong stream currents swept him away.

Foote called 911 as he ran along the stream looking for Bradbury after he lost sight of him at a culvert.

“I’m in a panic. I’m panicking,” Foote said.

Firefighters and Ocean Safety lifeguards conducted a search for Bradbury.

Foote conducted his own search along the stream. “This wasn’t a stream anymore. It was a river,” he said.

Shortly after 5 p.m., he found his best friend along the west bank of the stream, approximately 1 mile away from Foote’s backyard.

Firefighters recovered Bradbury, who was transported to Wilcox Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Still in shock, Foote said, “Josh is just an incredible person who sees the good in everybody.”

“He’s just one of a kind,” he added. “He’s a caring, sensitive soul.”

His parents were at home in Kekaha when they received a call from police about their son. “We’re devastated,” said Bradbury’s father, Roby Bradbury. “It’s just a nightmare.”

“He was a beautiful person,” he added. “He was a big-hearted beautiful person.”

The owner of the dog rescued by Bradbury picked it up at Foote’s home.

Joshua Bradbury was born and raised in Kalaheo, Kauai, and later moved to Hanapepe and Kekaha. His sister said, “He was an amazing older brother…I always wanted to be with him.”

Bradbury, a 2006 Kauai High School graduate, played soccer and was an all-state basketball player.

Within a year of graduation, he moved to California and then to Las Vegas where he worked at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Family members said he lived in Las Vegas for several years before he returned to Kauai and he resided in a studio on his parent’s property in Kekaha where he helped care for his grandmother.

His sister said he had planned to visit her and her daughter, Serenity Hill, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., in two weeks to celebrate his niece’s 1-year birthday.

Bradbury’s family members noted how Joshua loved dogs and that his dog, a French bulldog, had recently died.

His father said, “He just loved animals. He just loved all creatures.”

Bradbury’s sister described him as a bright person with a great sense of humor and beautiful smile. He was hilarious and opinionated, she said.

Loved ones said Bradbury will be best remembered for his big heart. “He was a very loving person,” said his sister.

“He had so much ahead of him,” she added.

Along with his father, sister and niece, Bradbury is also survived by his mother, Malia Bradbury.