Though age may slow us, and though our advancing years might mean we’re no longer capable of doing things we could before, we will always do our best to prevent our young loved ones being in harm’s way.

A brave grandfather from Dinuba, California has died after sacrificing himself in order to save his granddaughter from an oncoming car.

According to tragic reports, 72-year-old Alfonso ‘Poncho’ Rios was walking his 4-year-old granddaughter home from school when the fatal incident occurred just a block away from their residence.

Another of Alfonso’s granddaughters, Ariana Garcia, said: “They were crossing the crosswalk to come back home’ he almost came back home, but they didn’t make it.”

According to reports, Alfonso and his granddaughter were at a crosswalk close to their home when the 72-year-old was forced to push her out of the path of an oncoming vehicle.

The 4-year-old was rushed to hospital with a broken arm and pelvis. Reports claim she’s already been discharged and is now expected to make a full recovery.

Ariana said her grandfather’s sacrifice is what made all the difference.

“If I knew I could depend on anybody, it was my grandpa,” she said.

“If I knew I needed somebody to just feel what I was feeling, it was my grandpa. He would always put himself in my position and everybody’s position. Everybody is just devastated.”