Kids plan loved father's funeral

The family of a Northland man who died in a boating accident say they are coping but will need support once his funeral has been held.
Norman Thomas Dalebrook, 51, drowned after slipping and hitting his head while trying to free his 10.5m trimaran Skyliner after it ran aground off Taranga Island, near Whangarei, during an outing with his 16-year-old son David early on Saturday.
David had been airlifted on board the helicopter when his father's body was recovered.
Yesterday, David and his seven siblings aged between 7 and 21, met a funeral director to plan their father's funeral which is to be held tomorrow.
The brave teenager, who was praised by rescuers for doing everything he could to save his father, did not want to speak to the media.
He was still nursing a sore leg and with cuts and bruises from the ordeal.
His older sister Anne Marie said they were proud of their brother.
"He's told us what happened out there and we think he's amazing."
She said her stepmother Laticia Dalebrook was absolutely devastated by the death. She had three young children of her own.
The family were together yesterday organising the funeral, which will be held at the Skyliner Cafe, at the top of the Brynderwyn hills, where the family lives and runs the business.
Anne Marie said her brother David was still recovering from the injuries he received.
"He's still in a bit of pain because his leg got squashed."
She said there had been plenty of phone calls from friends and family and they were "coping".
"At the moment we are okay. It's going to be after the funeral that we will need the help and support."
She said they would stay together with their stepmother at the Skyliner Cafe for a while longer.
It was unclear what condition the Skyliner was in after smashing on to the rocks and heavy seas pounding the shoreline of Department of Conservation controlled Taranga Island, the hen in the Hen and Chicken islands 15km southeast of Bream Head, over the weekend.
DoC programme manager of biodiversity Keith Hawkins hoped to have an update by today after the swells had died off and a DoC crew, who were on their way to nearby islands for work, could pass by the island.
Northern Coastguard broadcast a navigation warning over the marine channels yesterday warning boaties in the area of possible floating debris from the damaged trimaran.
Boaties were encouraged to report any debris they did come across.