A kitesurfe was killed in a freak whale accident after he was struck by a whale with a force equivalent to a tonne that smashed his board and left him unconscious and drowning.
Graham Howes, a 38-year-old South African sportsman, died on 7th September after being hit by a whale off Bloubergstrand, according to coroners in Cape Town.
Officials said Howes had kited out towards a pod of whales when he was struck, leaving him unconscious and causing him to drown before he could be rescued.
Kitesurfer Graham Howes poses in undated photo. His death was caused by a whale off Bloubergstrand, South Africa, on Sep. 7, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Graham Howes/newsX)
Experts said he was hit with a "force equivalent to a tonne", an impact strong enough to cause instant loss of consciousness or fatal injury.
The findings were based on three independent autopsies that confirmed the cause of death through consistent evidence, including snapped kite lines, a damaged board, an unreleased safety mechanism, final camera footage, and the recovery position of his body and equipment.
The National Sea Rescue Institute said Howes was last seen kiteboarding offshore near Eden on the Bay in Bloubergstrand at around 1pm before being reported missing later that evening.
A large-scale search was launched at about 8pm involving emergency services, private and commercial vessels, and air, land, and sea teams.
Kitesurfer Graham Howes poses in undated photo. His death was caused by a whale off Bloubergstrand, South Africa, on Sep. 7, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Graham Howes/newsX)
His kite and board were recovered at sea the following morning, and later that day his body was found by the crew of a local motor yacht helping in the search.
Tributes have since poured in from South Africa's extreme sports community, where Howes was a well-known figure and the founder of Dirty Habits, an apparel brand popular with surfers and kiteboarders.
Friends described him online as "a true legend" and "a gem in the community of ocean lovers", with many sharing messages such as "Fly high my friend" and "Rest in paradise".
(Michael Leidig / newsX)