Boxing day tragedy, Perry Meehan, husband and father looses his life on Onemana Beach.

Boxing Day Tragedy

The Meehan family have been through some tough times in the last few years. The family tragically lost their 14year old daughter Rebecca Meehan 5years ago, Perrys wife of 27years, Jody Meehan being diagnosed with throat cancer just this year and now tragically on boxing day they have lost a loving father and husband Perry.

A casual dip in familiar surf on a Coromandel beach ended with a lifeless Perry Meehan being dragged to shore.

Despite fervent attempts, the 60-year-old father and husband couldn't be revived.

His family are now grieving the good humoured Hamilton man who they described as "the life of the party".

After playing with the dogs on Onemana Beach, Perry and his daughter's partner, Darren Lloyd, went for a Boxing Day splash in the surf, near - but not between - the flags.

"We went to about waist deep, but not out of our depth or anything. Three or four really large waves came through and knocked us around."

Within moments, the pair were struggling.

Perry, who wasn't a strong swimmer, called to Darren, who swam over and grabbed his hand, holding him afloat.

Darren yelled to his partner and Perrys Daughter Emily, who ran for help.

"Another four or five waves came through and we both got belted around. I was trying my hardest to keep him above the water as well as myself ... But he was just taking in too much water."

Previous reports stating the pair had become stuck in a rip weren't accurate, Darren said.

"If we were in a rip, I would have just held him and let it take us out to sea. I didn't have that option. I immediately knew that if I stayed where I was, it would have been both of us.

"At that point, he wasn't holding onto me anymore. I had him, but he was unconscious."

Eventually, Darren was able to move forward enough - still holding Perry - and able to stand. By then, a young lifeguard had swam out to help Perry to shore.

But Perry was lifeless, his lips blue. After a "massive effort " - including 15 minutes of CPR - he was declared dead at the scene.

"He loved the ocean, he loved everything actually," Jody said. "He was the life of the party. He always had everyone laughing, in fits."

Perry was a greenkeeper for Morrinsville golfcourse and several other courses in the past. He was a keen golfer and did coaching in his younger days.

He was a drag racing enthusiast and attended many a meeting.

The couple's only living daughter, 24-year-old Emily, was "staying very strong,".

And it's been a hard year for the family, with Jody undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

"Unfortunately [Emily] has seen it all.

Just five years ago, tragedy struck and the couple lost a child Rebecca Mehaan at 14years old, the family were having dinner together and Rebecca choked and had a cardiac arrest she was put into a coma but her brain was severely damaged and she did not survive.

The family donated her organs to help save many other lives.

Thankyou for considering to donate to this family, any donation would be much appreciated to help them through this tough time.

There was no life insurance due to Perry having a heart valve problem he was denied.