Fred Salter.Photo: GoFundMe
A Florida man who was enjoying a day at the beach kitesurfing has tragically died after authorities say a gust of wind sent him flying into the side of a home.
Fred Salter, 61, of Fort Lauderdale, was identified as the victim in Wednesday’s fatal accident, according to theSouth Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan toldCNNthat the incident occurred in the city around 10 a.m.
Fire rescue crews were called to the scene after receiving reports that a man who was kitesurfing “had flown into the side of a residence,” Gollan explained to the outlet.
Kitesurfing, also called kiteboarding, is a wind-powered sport where a person holds a kite and uses the wind to be pulled on water, according toSurfer Today. The activity combines elements of wakeboarding, surfing, windsurfing, snowboarding, paragliding, and skateboarding, and is sometimes performed on land, per the outlet.
Fred Salter.Facebook
Gollan noted to CNN that crews had “experienced heavy winds and a strong thunderstorm,” which moved quickly into the area during that time.
Salter was transported to a hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries around 1 p.m., Gollan confirmed to CNN.
The kite in the Florida home.Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan
The board that was on the sand.Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan
Speaking to PEOPLE, he adds, “This type of accident is definitely not common and the last time we experienced a kiteboarding accident was about 10 years ago.”
In the wake of Salter’s death, several of his loved ones have expressed their shock and sadness on social media.
AGoFundMe pagethat was started on Thursday to assist Salter’s family with funeral expenses stated that he was a father to four children and a grandfather to two grandchildren.
“Fred Salter, tragically passed away yesterday doing what he loved most,” the page reads. “After beating cancer, Fred never took life for granted and lived each moment to its fullest.”
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“If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Fred, you would know how kind and loving he was. He valued his family and enormous group of friends more than anything,” the page continues. “Fred was the center of his children’s universe and now they are left with the unknown.”
On Facebook,one user wrote, “The community is still shocked, in disbelief, and saddened… [Salter] is a one of a kind & a good man to all!”
“One of my best buds gone. I’m [at loss] for words… We did everything together,“added another user, before writing ina separate post: “Please help out Freddy’s family. He would do it for you, that’s the person he was.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the GoFundMe page has raised $995. Those interested in donating can do sohere.
source: people.com
