Perth boy Sonny, 6, and cousin Eddie, 4, drown after being thrown from vehicle into waterhole in New Zealand

A Perth family are preparing to bring their six-year-old son’s body home after he died in a tragic accident while on holiday in New Zealand. Perth boy Sonny Skrzypek and his New Zealand cousin, Eddie Lawrence, four, drowned when they were thrown into a swollen waterhole after their utility-terrain vehicle hit a boulder in Peria on the North Island about 5.15pm on Friday. The two boys were on holiday with their families on their grandmother’s farm when the accident happened. The driver of the vehicle and three others managed to escape from the 11m-deep waterhole at Waikainga Stream but the two young boys could not be found, despite the efforts of emergency services including two helicopters. The boys’ bodies were recovered on Saturday. In an emotional post on social media, Sonny’s stepmother Destiny Swann said the boys’ deaths had left all who knew them heartbroken. “Sonny, our little sunshine, our bug-man, our fruit-bat, our sunny-bunny, our cheeky-monkey … our hearts are forever broken for you and are unmendable,” she said. “Sonny was the coolest and littlest brother to Oliver and Jesse. Son of Marisa and Mark, stepson of Andy and Destiny respectively. “Fly free with the grasshoppers and butterflies our little mate. “We’ll always love you forever, even if you can’t see us and even on our darkest of days, the thought of you will be a ray of Sonshine. “We will love you forever and ever and always.” Ms Swann said Eddie, from Taupaki in Auckland, was “gorgeous ... so cheeky and cheerful, full of adventure, and so full of light he would brighten every room he walked into”. “Words cannot paint a picture of how wonderful and special our wee boy was,” she said. Ms Swann went on to thank emergency service crews for their “amazing support” through the ordeal. “Without your support and guidance ... we’re not sure how we’d have coped,” she said. “To the skilled dive team, we can’t express enough thanks and love as thanks to your expertise, you managed to bring our boys back to the Whenua under such extreme circumstances and conditions.” In a GoFundMe page set up to support the families the boys’ aunt Mahdi-Jhan Sandford said the loss had shattered hearts. “Our hearts are forever broken for you and our family and are unmendable,” she wrote. “This fundraiser aims to support both families in New Zealand and Australia as they navigate this harrowing time. “The funds will help cover the repatriation of our angels, funeral expenses, and ongoing bills, allowing the families to grieve without the added stress of financial burdens.” The fundraiser for the family had raised more than $70,000 on Tuesday. Another aunt, Rani Livingstone, said the two boys were the “embodiment of adventure and joy”. “Their days were filled with laughter, exploration, and the innocent freedom of childhood,” she said. “No words can do justice to the loss and ripples that will be everlasting throughout NZ, Australia, and beyond.” Swimming and fishing at the scene of the accident on Waikainga Stream has been banned until January 7 while police investigate the accident. “By definition, a rahui is a restriction or prohibition on an area following an incident, such as a death, to honour the deceased, provide spiritual protection to anyone who would enter the space unknowingly and allows the area to regenerate its mauri or life force,” A New Zealand Police spokeswoman said. The family reportedly attended a karakia — a Maori prayer ceremony — at the scene, and were “very distraught and emotional. Far North mayor Moko Tepania sent his love and prayers to the families involved. “We are hugely appreciative of responders and the incredible work they do,” he said to New Zealand media. “With thousands of manuhiri (guests and visitors) joining Far Northerners over the break I ask families) to take extra care when enjoying our district.” To donate to the families involved in the tragedy, visit the GoFundMe page here.