Well, too bad u didn't realize sooner
Actually, during my first playthough, i wondered if there's a way to save him (coz all rpgs has this kind of thing), but i was too chickened the first time, as the clock goes 10, 9 ,8, my mind went: "omfg jump now!!!"
but, of course, by all means save him, heck, i need him to be in my last party, subtituting umaro out, plus agreeing w/ everybody's post, interceptor pwns all (cant imagine any other pooch blocking a punch from those magitek armor)