Andre Bradshaw and his daughter Skyla. Photo: Givealittle
The death of a young Wellington father while walking his toddler on a Kāpiti Coast beach earlier this year was caused by sand asphyxiation, the coroner has found.
Andre Bradshaw, who was 25, was found unresponsive on Raumati Beach, Paraparaumu on 28 June about 12.10pm.
Emergency services were called to the scene, confirming Bradshaw's death at 12.50pm that same day.
He had been last seen by his ex-partner at around 11.50am that same morning.
On a Givealittle page to raise money for his two-year-old daughter, she said the child had witnessed his death and they were in "complete shock".
"Andre passed away doing what he loved the most and that was walking on the beach with Skyla.... Skyla was everything to Andre and Skyla will always look up to her Dada."
In a report just released, Coroner Mark Wilton said the post mortem examination found sand in Bradshaw's lungs and windpipe.
Forensic pathologist Dr Judy Melinek said the findings indicated he had suffered a medical event, which caused him to fall face down onto the sand.
"Dr Melinek advises Mr Bradshaw's cardiovascular disease and prior seizure-like disorder were significant contributory conditions that reasonably explain his sudden collapse and subsequent asphyxiation."
He was also suffering viral illnesses at the time.
The night before his death, Bradshaw had been to the Wellington Accident and Urgent Medical Centre and was prescribed the pain killer tramadol for severe upper back and neck pain.
