FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A kite surfer has died after being rushed to the hospital Wednesday morning after he crashed into the wall of a home in Fort Lauderdale, authorities confirmed.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said the man passed away after 1 p.m.
The incident occurred in the area of Northeast 27th Street and North Ocean Boulevard, a popular site for kitesurfing. Witnesses said it happened just before 10 a.m.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials confirmed that the man launched from the beach and collided with the north side of the home after losing control due to powerful winds.
He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center where he succumbed to his injures.
Friends and loved ones identified the victim as Fred Salter, who they said was in his 60s and was a loving father and grandfather.
Friend Mike Bradley told Local 10 News reporter Christian De La Rosa that Salter had been kite surfing for years and that he had recently beaten cancer.
“I keep thinking I should’ve been there this morning, but I can’t think that because Freddy was a very intelligent waterman,” Bradley said. “And it’s just how fast something can happen on the water. It’s just crazy.”
On Thursday, flowers were spotted strapped to a tree outside the home where the accident occurred.
“One of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Heather Hentges said.
“I know that he’s pissed off that he did what he did right now, but he passed doing what he loved,” Bradley said. “I know he didn’t want this because he loved life.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to help Salter’s family with his funeral expenses.