A family holiday has ended in heartbreak after a beloved NSW police officer died suddenly while enjoying time on the beach with his loved ones.
Paul Matts, 37, from Orange in the NSW Central Tablelands, suffered a fatal medical episode on July 8 while laughing and playing on the sand with his wife and four children. Despite desperate efforts to revive him, he tragically could not be saved.
Matts leaves behind his wife, Danni, and their children – daughter Harlow, son Xavier and stepchildren Archer and Jasmine. The youngest, Xavier, is just eight months old.
“Danni and her three children – ages 8, 7, and 8 months – are now facing life without their loving dad and stepdad,” friends Jenna McAtamney and Sarah Wilkinson shared in a heartfelt message on a GoFundMe page set up to support the grieving family.
A NSW Police sergeant with more than 16 years of service, Matts had also lived in Coffs Harbour, where he remained a cherished member of the community. The Coffs Harbour Beaches Hockey Club paid tribute to their former teammate in an emotional social media post.
“Mattsy was a much-loved member of our club and the Coffs hockey community,” the club wrote. “He had a passion for horse racing and was never far from the track, even training a horse owned by several of our members. We pass on our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. So sad.”
McAtamney and Wilkinson described Matts as a devoted father whose absence would be deeply felt. “This loss has left the family devastated and in need of support as they begin to navigate this new reality,” they wrote. “Danni is doing everything she can to stay strong for her kids, but she cannot do it alone.”
Paul Matts’ funeral will be held on Thursday in Coffs Harbour.
Images: GoFundMe
