‘Devoted’ Father, 28, Who Was Expecting a New Baby, Dies on Beach After Sand Dune Suddenly Collapsed on Him — as His Kids Watched

A man has died after a sand dune collapsed on him while he was digging at Muriwai Beach, about 25 miles from Auckland.

Kane Watson, 28, was at the beach on Saturday, Aug. 23, with his 18-month-old daughter and three stepsons when the incident happened, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and the New Zealand Herald.

Reports say Watson had been playing with the children when the dune gave way around 5 p.m. local time, trapping him beneath the sand as he called for help.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust told RNZ that Watson was buried headfirst and remained trapped for roughly 15 minutes. His children called out to bystanders for help, and rescue teams rushed him to Auckland City Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he died the following day, Sunday, Aug. 24.

Police confirmed to RNZ that the case will be investigated on behalf of the coroner.

A Givealittle fundraiser created by a family friend described Watson as a “much-loved son, brother, partner and, above all, a devoted father” with another child on the way.

“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 center of who he was,” wrote family friend Kristalle Tayler. “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. The suddenness of this accident has left Kane’s family shattered.”

Speaking with RNZ, University of Auckland lecturer Colin Whittaker said he hopes the tragedy will raise awareness about the dangers of sand dunes.

“If you’ve got a big dune above you and a lot of that collapses, you’ve potentially got something that weighs as much as an elephant collapsing on top of you,” he explained. “That’s obviously very damaging, but also pretty hard to dig yourself out of, especially if you’re struggling for air.”

Whittaker added that sand dunes can suddenly collapse for many reasons, such as waves cutting into them, vehicles driving over them, or people walking and digging into them. “As soon as you start trying to dig someone out, as you dig a hole, the sand fills it back in. It’s incredibly challenging to do,” he said.

Watson’s family told local outlets that they are “shattered” and struggling to come to terms with their loss. His sister Shaquille described him to Stuff as her “best friend” and “favorite person.”

“He was just an amazing dad,” Tayler added. “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.”