The father of a six-year-old Perth boy who drowned with his four-year-old cousin in a shocking accident during a family holiday was previously awarded a medal for saving a man from drowning.
In a tragic twist, it has been revealed that Mark Skrzypek, father of six-year-old Sonny, received a bravery award five years ago for saving the life of a man who tried to commit suicide in Perth waters.
Sonny Skrzypek and his cousin Eddie Lawrence, four, from Auckland, were on holiday with family on a farm in Peria, in New Zealand's far north, when the vehicle they were in plunged into a stream on Saturday.
Sonny's stepmother Destiny Swann posted on her Facebook account that the boys were traveling in an all-terrain vehicle (UTV) when it crashed into the highway. 11 meter deep water hole after the crash in a boulder.
She said there too where there are no safety barriers at the Waikainga Stream.
New Zealand Police said four others on board were able to get out of the water and were taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
The boys' bodies were recovered on Sunday.
Sonny (left), 6 years old, and his cousin Eddie, 4 years old, could not be saved after being thrown from an all-terrain vehicle into a waterhole. Image: supplied.
Mrs. Swann remembered Sonny as her “curious bug man” and said, “Sonny, our little sunshine… Our hearts are forever broken for you,”
Eddie has been described as a “beautiful little boy who was so cheeky and cheerful,” and remembered for “his irresistible sass, boundless cheerfulness and adventurous spirit.”
“Eddie lit up every room he entered with an unquenchable brightness,” said his aunt Mahdi-Jhan Sandford.
“Losing both of you has shattered hearts beyond repair. Our hearts are forever broken for you and our family and beyond repair,” his aunt Mahdi said.
As the family contemplates an unthinkable tragedy, GoFundMe page was created to raise money for Sonny's funeral costs and repatriation back to Perth.
With a fundraising target of A$150,000, it is had raised more than $55,000 in less than 24 hours.
“No words can express the magnitude of the loss we feel, the unique spark that made Sonny and Eddie so extraordinarily special to all of us,” said Ms. Mahdi.
The boys were on holiday with their family on a family farm in Peria, in the far north of New Zealand. Image: supplied.
Family and friends, shocked by the tragic news, have expressed their support in messages and comments on social media.
A friend wrote: 'We will remember Eddie with all the affection in the world, his cheeky grin and beautiful eyes when we see him around pick-ups.'
Another wrote: 'Sonny, sweet boy. We are beyond devastated to hear of your passing. May you fly high with the angels and now rest in peace.”
Support has even been shown from outside Australia, with one person donating to the boys' fund from Ireland.
'I couldn't understand the emotional impact this would have. Lots of love from Ireland'.
Ms Swann thanked local police and emergency services for their efforts and also wrote a thank you message on her social media account to the 'skilled' diving team.
“We cannot express enough gratitude and love… you managed to bring our boys back to the Whenua under such extreme conditions and circumstances,” she said.