Two Australian deaths yesterday!

[mharrison33]

After the sad news from WA yesterday, I just saw another report (below), this time from Queensland. It is very light on details, but the wording says that he was in a park. Does anyone know if the "Airlie Beach Sports Park" is next to the water? Let's hope he wasn't just flying his kite in a park, but was setting up with the intention of heading into the water. Whatever the case, it is a very sad time for us Aussies, and all kitesurfers.

Let's try and get some more news before jumping to too many conclusions about what may or may not have happened. Is there anyone here from Airlie Beach that can help out?

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Qld: Man dies after kite surfing accident

BRISBANE, Sept 4 AAP - A 24-year-old man has died after a
kite-surfing accident in north Queensland.
Police today said the man had been practising with a kite surfer at the Airlie Beach Sports Park on Shute Harbour Road when he fell to the ground around 9.30am (AEST) yesterday.
The man, from Cannonvale, was initially taken to Proserpine Hospital with severe head injuries.
He was then airlifted to Townsville Hospital but died on arrival.
AAP pjo/sc/cjh/jlw

[RickI]

After the sad news from WA yesterday, I just saw another report (below), this time from Queensland. It is very light on details, but the wording says that he was in a park. Does anyone know if the "Airlie Beach Sports Park" is next to the water? Let's hope he wasn't just flying his kite in a park, but was setting up with the intention of heading into the water. Whatever the case, it is a very sad time for us Aussies, and all kitesurfers.

Let's try and get some more news before jumping to too many conclusions about what may or may not have happened. Is there anyone here from Airlie Beach that can help out?

-------------------------------------
Qld: Man dies after kite surfing accident

BRISBANE, Sept 4 AAP - A 24-year-old man has died after a
kite-surfing accident in north Queensland.
Police today said the man had been practising with a kite surfer at the Airlie Beach Sports Park on Shute Harbour Road when he fell to the ground around 9.30am (AEST) yesterday.
The man, from Cannonvale, was initially taken to Proserpine Hospital with severe head injuries.
He was then airlifted to Townsville Hospital but died on arrival.
AAP pjo/sc/cjh/jlw

I received confirmation that this sad accident occurred on land. My sincere regrets go out to the man's family and friends and to all Australian riders at this sad time.

I just spoke with a couple of parties in the area and apparently Airlie Park is next to the water but reportedly the man was practicing a few hundred meters away from the water on the grass. He was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Townsville but died on route or shortly after arrival. Apparently he suffered major head trauma, perhaps from lofting.

If anyone knows more about this it would be helpful if you could pass word along here or to <flkitesurfer@hotmail.com>

[Blow Me]

again, very sadly I say, My deepest, and most sincere condolences to the family, and friends.

[NeilT]

This is a very sad day for yet another Aussie family, this time in Queensland. The young man was only 24 years old and, apparently, an experienced base jumper. According to a police officer not far from Airlie Beach, he was flying a second-hand 11.5 Liquidforce kite (no disrespect to the brand) in winds of 35 knots. He may have meant "gusting" to 35 knots. It was quite clear, however, that the flyer was "tied down" by means of a long rope to a post and was (presumably) using the kite to lift him.

There were also other kite flyers at the park at the time. I don't know if any of them spoke to or knew the victim. I honestly don't know how we can help prevent accidents such as this. It's easy for us, we KNOW how powerful kites are.

[da_airman]

Deepest condolences to his family and friends.

[luketheloony]

my condolences to his family and friends

[alexhargreaves]

my condolences to his family and friends

...I am so sorry to hear this.

Also very important to us, share about how danger the kite can lift!!!!

Small power kite can be lift too,
This it depends of wind speed and also if the kiter are fat or tall,
and how gusty the wind comes,
but we use power kites...they are safe if we keep low
and go to the water...WE may have this rule :
share to others about power kites. (In all beaches we go)

And keeping doing fun at small stunt kites on the grass.

[kiteboardkorea]

While everybody seems to be concerned about what happened,

why does no one on this forum say what a kook this guy was , my understanding is that he tied himself to the ground by a rope, fixed to a post and was using the kite to lift him above the ground, in gust of 35 knots!!!!!!.........hmmmmmm....... , this is just crazy stuff and some body needs to come out and say that maybe the Darwinian law of survival is at work here. ........


http://www.darwinawards.com/

Defiantly a candidate for nomination in next years awards

just my 2 cents worth



Drew

[Ozone Kites AUS]

With respect Drew,
Because it is disrespectful and blatantly obvious.
How is calling him names going to help us all learn from this tragedy?
Imagine his parents of family reading your post.........................
Would you like the same to happen if you made an error of judgement that resulted in your untimely death?
Tolerence+Co-Operation=PEACE

While everybody seems to be concerned about what happened,

why does no one on this forum say what a kook this guy was , my understanding is that he tied himself to the ground by a rope, fixed to a post and was using the kite to lift him above the ground, in gust of 35 knots!!!!!!.........hmmmmmm....... , this is just crazy stuff and some body needs to come out and say that maybe the Darwinian law of survival is at work here. ........


http://www.darwinawards.com/

Defiantly a candidate for nomination in next years awards

just my 2 cents worth



Drew

[theflyingtinman]

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