Flung to death in front of wife

Ruben Laas on his kiteboard. Photo / Supplied.

A kiteboarder killed in front of his wife in a Christmas holiday tragedy was lifted 20 metres in the air by a gust of wind - and flung to his death more than a kilometre away.

Ruben Laas was about to start kiteboarding on the Wakapuaka sand flats, north of Nelson, when extreme winds - 45km/h gusting to 60km/h - picked him up.

His wife, Heather, who also kiteboards, watched in horror as the 35-year-old hit tall trees and was carried in the air for more than a kilometre before crashing on to farmland beside State Highway 6.

Paramedics, police and firefighters rushed to the crash site about 3.30pm on Friday, but Mr Laas was dead.

"It's an absolute tragedy for his wife when she was with him, spending quality time together, just before Christmas," Sergeant Shane Miles said.

The death has been reported to the coroner and police were yesterday contacting Mr Laas' family in Germany.

Mr Laas, a driller for civil contracting firm Adcock & Donaldson in Nelson, had wanted to work on Christmas Eve to study for upcoming drilling exams, but his boss, Gary Donaldson, told him the office was closed so staff could enjoy time with their families.

"It's an absolute tragedy, I'm just devastated. Ruben was a great guy," Mr Donaldson said yesterday.

Police were yesterday interviewing witnesses.

Mr Miles said the police inquiry would focus on whether Mr Laas was using the correct kite sail for the weather conditions.

"My understanding is that the stronger the wind, the smaller the kite is recommended."

Ross and Lesley Aitkenhead saw the crash and ran across the paddock to try to rescue Mr Laas, who was still being dragged across the ground.

The couple were interviewed by police yesterday but would not comment last night out of respect for Mr Laas.

Neighbour Sue Wastney said Friday was windy compared to normal conditions in Nelson - "blustery with big gusts".

She described the accident as "freaky" and said emergency services arrived quickly after the Aitkenheads raised the alarm.

But they had struggled to reach Mr Laas because a drain blocked the most obvious access point.

Mr Donaldson said Mr Laas, who had previously studied marketing and business, was an accountant in Germany but moved to New Zealand to enjoy a simpler life.

He and his wife, a Nelson woman, lived in Tahunanui.

He also worked as a part-time photographer and had recently taken the photos at a colleague's wedding.

Shane Anderson, of Kitesurf Nelson, said Mr Laas was a customer and a friend.

He was an experienced kitesurfer (on water) and kiteboarder (on land).

Such an accident was extremely rare, said Mr Anderson.

"I've never come close in 10 years. Nelson is renowned for kiteboarding and kitesurfing and the 50-strong community is in shock."

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, said Mr Howard.

"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 myself 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. The kiting fraternity is small and this has hit us hard."