Hardworking father suddenly drops dead while walking on the beach with his young daughter
The heartbroken family of a young New Zealand father finally know why he died mysteriously while walking on the beach with his two-year-old daughter.
Andre Bradshaw, 25, was found face down and unconscious in the sand at Raumati Beach in Paraparaumu, 50km north of Wellington, on June 28.
A member of the public had discovered him around 12.10pm with his little girl, Skyla, by his side.
For months his family did not know what caused the father’s sudden death, but new findings from coroner Mark Wilton this week revealed that a medical episode combined with ‘suffocation by sand’ took his life.
The night before he died, Mr Bradshaw was treated at the Wellington Accident and Urgent Medical Center for escalating severe upper back and neck pain.
New Zealand father Andre Bradshaw (left) died on June 28 at Raumati Beach with his two-year-old daughter Skyla (right) by his side
A new coroner’s report found that Mr Bradshaw collapsed after a medical episode and suffocated in the sand at Raumati Beach (above)
He was prescribed tramadol, an opioid for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain, and sent on his way.
He and Skyla left for their usual beach walk at about 11.50am, saying goodbye to Mr Bradshaw’s partner and Skyla’s mother, Meya Cameron, on the way out.
A post-mortem examination by forensic pathologist Dr Judy Melinek revealed that there was sand in Mr Bradshaw’s windpipe, meaning he was still breathing when he fell to the ground.
The 25-year-old previously suffered from remote conversion disorder and a nerve disorder believed to be related to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Dr. Melinek also found evidence of pulmonary edema, excess fluid, in Mr. Bradshaw’s lungs.
It is believed the father’s cardiovascular disease and seizure-like condition caused a medical episode that led to him collapsing and choking on the sand.
Dr. Melinek also found three different flu-like viruses in Mr Bradshaw’s blood that could have further contributed to his collapse.
After Bradshaw’s death, more than $7,500 was raised for Skyla and Mrs. Cameron.
“Andre passed away doing what he loved most: walking on the beach with Skyla, and Skyla witnessed it,” Cameron wrote in a post. Give a little message in June.
‘We are completely in shock. Skyla was everything to Andre and Skyla will always look up to her Dada.”
Bradshaw’s partner Meya Cameron (pictured together) said the 25-year-old ‘died doing what he loved most: walking on the beach with Skyla’
Mr Bradshaw’s sister Krystle also shared a tribute after his death, writing: ‘Gone way too early. Words cannot express how broken I am by the loss of you.
‘You always had nothing but kindness in your heart and were always looking for the best in people.
‘You will remain in our hearts forever and ever.’