Doomed kiteboarder 'seemed in control'

Ruben Laas, pictured kiteboarding, was carried more than 1km by high winds. Photo / Supplied

A witness to the holiday tragedy that killed an extreme-sports enthusiast at first thought someone had lost their kite.

Lesley Aitkenhead soon realised a man was still attached to the sail and was being carried through the air, up to 20m above the ground.

She watched in disbelief as he plummeted into a paddock and was dragged along the ground.

Ruben Laas, 35, was kiteboarding on sand flats north of Nelson when a gust of wind picked him up and carried him more than a kilometre.

Mrs Aitkenhead lives on the opposite side of State Highway 6 from the farmland Mr Laas crashed into and was the first to ring 111.

She was in the lounge of her home getting her children ready to leave the house on Christmas Eve when the sky-blue kite floated into view.

"At first I thought someone had lost a kite, then I saw the man," she said.

"We kept watching to see how much control he had and he still seemed in control at that point.

"After that, it happened quickly - 20 or 30 seconds and he hit the ground. We were on the phone to 111 straight away."

Mrs Aitkenhead said the paddock Mr Laas hit was very hard ground, as it was reclaimed landfill, and the kite dragged him across it.

Emergency services arrived soon after she rang 111, followed by Mr Laas' wife Heather, but he was already dead.

Mrs Laas is also a keen kiteboarder and was with her husband at the Wakapuaka sand flats as he was picked up by the extreme wind, estimated at 45km/h gusting to 60km/h.

"It was so unfortunate, just tragic," said Mrs Aitkenhead.

Mrs Laas declined to comment yesterday.

Police are investigating the death of the German national and will report to the coroner.

Sergeant Shane Miles said the report would cover issues such as the use of the Wakapuaka sand flats for activities such as kiteboarding, the suitability of equipment used in the conditions and other factors that might have contributed to the tragedy.

Ted Howard, of Kiteclub Nelson, said Mr Laas loved kiteboarding and always took the necessary safety precautions with his gear.

"It was his passion. But the conditions must have caught him out and a big gust has lofted him up in the air."

Mr Howard was amazed to learn Mr Laas was carried more than a kilometre before crashing.

He saw photos of the accident, and recognised the sail Mr Laas was using.

The 45km/h wind speed on Friday would be at the top end of the safe range to use with that kite, he said.

"The wind on Friday was quite strong and gusty and in strong winds, you would normally go down a kite size or two.

"I've been caught out before but I was lucky someone else was there to help me.

"That is a long way to travel. The water can be painful to hit but the ground is even more unforgiving.

"I'm going to miss his company. He was a lovely guy and it's terrible to see that happen on Christmas Eve.

"We're going to miss him," Mr Howard said. "The kiting fraternity is small and this has hit us hard."