This is Leicestershire -- The family of a father who died rescuing his two children from drowning in Australia have said he was "the most amazing father". Andrew Priestley, from Market Harborough, died in hospital after getting into difficulty at Burrill Beach, around 140 miles south of Sydney, New South Wales. A statement released by the Foreign Office on behalf of the family said it was "heartbreakingly impossible" to imagine life without him. The 44-year-old was on holiday with his family when his two sons, Matthew and Daniel, got caught in strong currents at the beauty spot. Initial reports in Australia said onlookers had rescued the two boys. However, the family statement confirmed that Mr Priestley entered the water and rescued his children himself, before getting into difficulty. It is believed Mr Priestley might have suffered a heart attack. The statement said: "The family of Andrew are devastated about his death in Australia. He died after saving his children. "Andrew was the most amazing husband and father that any family could wish for. He adored his family and we adored him. "The support and messages we have received have been overwhelming and we are thankful for that. "It is heartbreakingly impossible at this moment to imagine our lives without him. "We would ask that our privacy is respected at such a sad time." Australian police said Matthew and Daniel were uninjured. As the Mercury reported yesterday, neighbours of the Priestleys spoke of their shock and seep sorrow the news of the loss of the well-thought-of family man, who leaves his wife, Amanda, and a daughter, Amelia, as well as the two boys. One neighbour said: "We're terribly shocked. "They're a lovely young family and everyone close by has been in huddles today trying to take it in." Another neighbour said: "They are a very well-liked family. This is a terrible tragedy." Mr Priestley's sons played for the Borough Alliance Football Club, in Market Harborough, for many years. The club will be holding a minute's silence before its games today. Richard Haddon, club chairman, said: "For many years Andrew was a regular figure at the club where his sons Matthew and Daniel played. Our thoughts go out to his wife Amanda, the boys and his daughter Amelia." A report is now being prepared for the coroner. A statement from New South Wales Police Force released on Friday said: "Emergency services were called to Burrill Beach just after midday, where they found a man unconscious. "The 44-year-old was taken to Milton Hospital where he was pronounced dead. "Officers from Shoalhaven Local Area Command attended and were told the man, a British tourist, got into difficulty after attempting to rescue his two sons who were caught in a rip. "His sons were not injured." A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the family was being offered consular assistance.
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.
This is Leicestershire -- The family of a father who died rescuing his two children from drowning in Australia have said he was "the most amazing father". Andrew Priestley, from Market Harborough, died in hospital after getting into difficulty at Burrill Beach, around 140 miles south of Sydney, New South Wales. A statement released by the Foreign Office on behalf of the family said it was "heartbreakingly impossible" to imagine life without him. The 44-year-old was on holiday with his family when his two sons, Matthew and Daniel, got caught in strong currents at the beauty spot. Initial reports in Australia said onlookers had rescued the two boys. However, the family statement confirmed that Mr Priestley entered the water and rescued his children himself, before getting into difficulty. It is believed Mr Priestley might have suffered a heart attack. The statement said: "The family of Andrew are devastated about his death in Australia. He died after saving his children. "Andrew was the most amazing husband and father that any family could wish for. He adored his family and we adored him. "The support and messages we have received have been overwhelming and we are thankful for that. "It is heartbreakingly impossible at this moment to imagine our lives without him. "We would ask that our privacy is respected at such a sad time." Australian police said Matthew and Daniel were uninjured. As the Mercury reported yesterday, neighbours of the Priestleys spoke of their shock and seep sorrow the news of the loss of the well-thought-of family man, who leaves his wife, Amanda, and a daughter, Amelia, as well as the two boys. One neighbour said: "We're terribly shocked. "They're a lovely young family and everyone close by has been in huddles today trying to take it in." Another neighbour said: "They are a very well-liked family. This is a terrible tragedy." Mr Priestley's sons played for the Borough Alliance Football Club, in Market Harborough, for many years. The club will be holding a minute's silence before its games today. Richard Haddon, club chairman, said: "For many years Andrew was a regular figure at the club where his sons Matthew and Daniel played. Our thoughts go out to his wife Amanda, the boys and his daughter Amelia." A report is now being prepared for the coroner. A statement from New South Wales Police Force released on Friday said: "Emergency services were called to Burrill Beach just after midday, where they found a man unconscious. "The 44-year-old was taken to Milton Hospital where he was pronounced dead. "Officers from Shoalhaven Local Area Command attended and were told the man, a British tourist, got into difficulty after attempting to rescue his two sons who were caught in a rip. "His sons were not injured." A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the family was being offered consular assistance.
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.