The coroner’s report into a man’s death in an Auckland sand dune collapse found his injuries were not survivable despite efforts to save him.
In August, Kane Watson, referred to as Kane Gofton in the report, was buried by a dune he was digging into at Muriwai Beach on Auckland’s west coast.
Almost completely engulfed by collapsing sand, only his feet were visible as he tried to kick himself free.
His partner, Jasmine Cooke, desperately began digging to reach him, later aided by nearby bystanders.
When he was finally freed, the coroner’s report said he was unresponsive, and resuscitation efforts began.
Emergency services soon arrived and continued the resuscitation efforts.
Watson was flown to Auckland City Hospital in critical condition but died there two days later.
“Despite prolonged resuscitation and advanced medical care, it became clear that Mr Gofton’s injuries were not survivable,” Coroner Ian Telford’s report said.
The coroner pointed to complications of cardiac arrest, entrapment and asphyxia as the cause of Watson’s death.
Pathologist Dr Michael Duffy’s report explained: “Being trapped in sand in this manner can make it extremely difficult to breathe and cause sand to enter the lungs.
“The weight and pressure from the sand can also prevent the lungs from expanding properly.
“Without enough oxygen, the heart can stop, and once the heart stops pumping, vital organs quickly become damaged.
“In Mr Gofton’s case, this process led to brain swelling, injury to the liver and kidneys, and reduced heart function.”
Coroner Telford also addressed initial concerns about the “perceived actions or inactions” of others at the time of the incident.
“In any event, it is my assessment on the evidence before me that the circumstances of Mr Gofton’s death ultimately arose from his own actions,” he said.
“I am satisfied that there is no evidence of actions or inactions by others that could have materially contributed to the events that unfolded.”
The report also stressed the danger regarding the stability of sand dunes.
“Dunes can become unstable without warning. Even small tunnels or cavities may collapse, leading to serious injury or death,” the coroner said.
“As we approach the summer season, it is important that beachgoers – especially those supervising children – are aware of these risks, avoid digging into dunes, and seek emergency assistance immediately if anyone becomes trapped.”
Cooke previously said her world was turned upside down by the tragedy at Muriwai Beach.
“It’s a hard journey,” she said. “It’s not ever something I pictured – being in this situation.”
But she said she has a “lovely group of children” looking after her.
The blended family includes two 10-year-old girls the couple had only recently legally fostered.
“Kane would be very proud of these boys and how much they want to look after me,” she said.
“And the girls are an absolutely great help. They’re a great help with the baby.
“My biggest thing is just trying to keep his memory alive and telling my boys [to] turn out just like him. Once he came into their lives ... they just changed ... so much.”
After Watson died in hospital, more than $30,000 was donated to a Givealittle set up by Kristalle Tayler – a friend of the Watson family – to help raise funds for funeral expenses and “related costs”.
For the first two weeks – the majority of the time the page was live – it featured a picture of Watson with one of Cooke’s children, and revealed his partner was pregnant with their second child together.
Tayler previously told the Herald they had planned to give some of the surplus to the bereaved and pregnant Cooke.
But relations soured between the two parties, and Cooke was cut off from receiving any of the money donated to the online fundraiser.
In a legal first, Cooke obtained an interim order from the High Court at Auckland in late September freezing the fund until a judge could decide how the money should be distributed.
The matter has now been adjourned to February 9.
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