12-year-old speaks about father who drowned trying to rescue her from the Yuba River

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. - A 12-year-old girl is speaking out about her father who drowned in the Yuba River while trying to rescue her from the chilly water.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office says state park visitors spotted the body of 34-year-old Alexander Alvarez on Sunday in the South Yuba River, about 200 yards from where he vanished.

"He was an amazing person. If you ever needed him by your side, he would be there to help you," his daughter Amelie Alvarez said Monday. "He would do anything for you, just like he did for me at the river."

Alvarez was last seen July 13. He jumped into the river near Highway 49 to help his 12-year-old daughter, Amelie. 

A state park ranger was able to rescue Amelie with the help of a good Samaritan. 

"No one could really be like my dad because he was just such an amazing person -- if only a lot of people could have gotten to know him before this happened," Amelie said.