69 posts
Byron Smith, of Taupo, was kitesurfing on the lake with a friend on Saturday when a strong gust of wind slammed him into rocks near the shoreline off Three Mile Bay.
He was knocked unconscious and was taken to Taupo hospital by ambulance, from where he was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
Waikato hospital spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said Mr Smith remained in a critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit last night, in an induced coma.
- NZPA
164 posts
Hope the young fella is going to be ok. Our sport can be extremely unpredictable so apart from doing everything possible to alleviate potential issues etc. ....all we can do is hope nature doesn't smack us too hard.
Please pass on the best wishes of the SSKC ( Southern Sydney Kiteboarding Club ) if you are in contact with him and his folks/rellos etc., thanks Kathy.
NSW
1716 posts
Thanks Kathy. Keep us informed.
Graeme
69 posts
I found this article in Sunday's (22 Nov) NZ Herald.
"INJURED KITESURFER STABILISED"
"A kitesurfer who suffered serious head injuries after a gust of wind slammed him into rocks last weekend has been moved out of intensive care.
Byron Smith, 25, was kitesurfing with a friend at Lake Taupo when he was blown on to rocks near Three Mile Bay.
A witness said he landed head first on the rocks and ended up half submerged in the water.
Smith, a Taupo barista, had a severe gash to his head and was knocked unconscious. He was taken to Taupo Hospital by ambulance and then airlifted to Waikato Hospital where he was put in an induced coma in intensive care.
He was moved to the high dependency unit on Friday and a hospital spokeswoman said his condition was improving and he was in a stable condition.
There has only been one death from the sport in New Zealand and that was in 2005.'
