Father-of-four dies in front of his kids after the unimaginable happens at a popular beach: ‘Almost unbearable’
A father-of-four has died in front of his children and partner after a sand dune suddenly collapsed on him as he was digging into it, trapping him for 15 minutes.
Kane Watson, 28, was playing with his three stepsons and 18-month-old daughter on Muriwai Beach, 40km northwest of Auckland, when tragedy struck at about 5 pm on Saturday.
Witnesses recalled hearing children scream for help after the sand dune fully buried Mr Watson, before they frantically tried to dig him out.
The Kiwi father suffered critical injuries and died on Sunday night.
Family friend Kristalle Tayler started a Givealittle campaign to help his family cover funeral expenses.
It received just under $5,000 within two hours.
‘In seconds, laughter turned to panic as his family witnessed the unimaginable unfold before their eyes,’ Ms Tayler wrote on the fundraiser page.
‘Despite the incredible efforts of rescue teams and doctors, Kane tragically passed away from his injuries.
Kane Watson (pictured) was buried by a sand dune in front of his four children and partner on Saturday
A sand dune collapsed on a man as he was digging into it at Muriwai Beach.
‘To have witnessed such a tragedy and now face life without him is almost unbearable.’
Mr Watson and his partner, Jasmine, were expecting their second child together when he passed.
‘Kane was a much-loved son, brother, partner and, above all, a devoted father,’ Ms Tayler wrote.
‘His greatest joy was being with his children – not only his own, but also the kids he cared for and loved as if they were his own.
‘Family was always at the very centre of who he was.
‘Most heartbreakingly, his youngest child, due early next year, will never get to meet him, but will grow up hearing stories of the incredible man who loved them before they were born.’
Mr Watson’s sister, Shaquille, told local outlet Stuff her brother was ‘her best friend, her favourite person’ and his death had ‘completely shattered her’.
‘He was just an amazing dad. I guess that’s where it’s like just the most heartbreaking thing,’ she said.
Witnesses recalled hearing children screaming for help while Mr Watson was trapped for 15 minutes (pictured, emergency services at the scene)
‘All he ever wanted was to have his own family and it really does feel like the minute he got there, it was ripped away from him.’
Ms Tayler said the sudden tragedy had left the young family ‘shattered’.
‘To have witnessed such a tragedy and now face life without him is almost unbearable,’ she said.
‘Kane’s absence leaves a hole that can never be filled.’
