Father killed after wave breaks his neck at North Carolina beach

OAK ISLAND, N.C. — A father was killed in a freak accident Friday while spending the day at a North Carolina beach with his children.

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WTVD reported that Lee Dingle, 37, was playing in the ocean with his kids when a wave knocked him to the ground, breaking his neck.

Dingle's wife, Shannon Dingle, said the swelling from her husband's injury caused him to suffocate.

Lee Dingle and his wife had six children together.

A family friend told WTVD that Lee Dingle's life revolved around his family.

"She's a strong woman, and the kids are just exceptional kids. ... He was the kind of dad that built them up and the kind of husband who supported his wife," said family friend April Schweitzer.

Friends are raising money to help the family.

If you would like to help, you can donate to the Dingle family here.

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