Coroners have confirmed that local kitesurfer Graham Howes was killed in a tragic incident involving a whale off Bloubergstrand on September 7.

The 38-year-old’s death has been described as a freak accident following an extensive investigation that included three independent autopsies.

Authorities have concluded that Howes had kited out to a pod of whales when he was struck by one of the massive creatures with a force exceeding a ton. The impact rendered him unconscious instantly, leading to his drowning.

This conclusion was reached based on consistent evidence across multiple findings, including the snapped kite lines, a damaged board, an unreleased safety mechanism, final camera footage, and the recovery positions of all equipment and injuries sustained.

Howes, a well-known and respected figure in South Africa’s extreme sports community, was last seen kiteboarding offshore near Eden on the Bay in Bloubergstrand around 1 pm on Sunday, September 7.