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'Hero' dad sacrificed himself to save son, 4, from drowning

A heroic dad has died but not before he saved his four-year-old son from drowning on the NSW Central Coast.

Peter Finch, 33, was pulled from the water at Gwandalan on Friday about 5.30pm after falling from a kayak while out with his son on his birthday.

His son Jaxson fell into the water with him. Paramedics and bystanders treated the pair but tragically Mr Finch died. Incredibly, Jaxson was unharmed.

Peter Finch, 33, is pictured with wife Natalie and their two kids.
Peter Finch, 33, with his wife and kids. He died saving his son after they both fell from a kayak. Source: Facebook

NSW Ambulance Inspector Andrew Craig said Mr Finch “heroically” held his son up after they fell from the kayak, saving his life.

"It was a very emotional scene and bystanders had done an excellent job in rendering first aid to the patient before paramedics arrived,” he said.

"With the warmer weather fast approaching it's a tragic reminder of how dangerous the water can be and how quickly things can change."

'I don't know how to do life without you'

On Facebook, Mr Finch’s wife Natalie paid tribute to her “hero”.

“Peter, my husband, my lover, my best friend, my partner in crime, my hero, I don't know how to do life without you,” she wrote.

“You have been my rock for the last 17 and a half years. No one has my back like you do. You are the most amazing, fun, loving, beautiful daddy. I promise the kids will always know just how wonderful you are, our hero.”

Larissa Ellis, Mr Finch’s sister, said her “kind and gentle” brother died in a "freak accident".

"He saved his 4 year old by treading water until help arrived," she wrote.

“Peter was a beautiful young man who loved his wife and lived for his children.”

A GoFundMe page states Mr Finch sacrificed his own life to save his boy which is “heroism at its finest”.

After one day, the page had raised more than $20,000 for his devastated family.

Mr Finch also leaves behind a baby girl.

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