A father of four has died after being trapped under a sand dune that collapsed on top of him while he was digging.
Kane Watson, 28, tragically died after a sand dune collapsed on him at Muriwai Beach, near Auckland, New Zealand, on August 23. He had gone there with his 18-month-old daughter and his wife’s three other children for a day of fun when the dune suddenly gave way, burying him face down.
According to witnesses, Watson was trapped for about 15 minutes while the children frantically ran for help. Rescue teams rushed to dig him out and transported him to Auckland City Hospital. Sadly, he passed away the following day, August 24.
Experts from the University of Auckland warned that a collapsing dune can be as deadly as “an elephant pressing down,” and rescue is extremely difficult since sand continuously caves back in.
A fundraising page has since been set up to support his grieving family. Friends described Watson as “a devoted father full of love,” whose life revolved around family. His sudden death left loved ones heartbroken, especially since his youngest child is due early next year and will never meet their dad.
Watson’s sister said tearfully: “He was my best friend and a wonderful father. The hardest part is knowing that just as he found happiness with his family, fate cruelly took him away.”