Gray Taylor, who died on Canada Day, was a popular and respected family man, friends say.
The world has lost an “outstanding guy,” says a friend of the man who died kite boarding in Squamish on Canada Day.
Gray Taylor died when an unusually strong gust of wind caught him and threw him onto the rocks off Squamish Coastal Park, says Michael Coulthard, Taylor’s friend who was with him at the time of the accident.
“He was probably one of the kindest, most respected people I know in our community. It’s such a great loss,” Coulthard said.
“He was a really well-connected and respected person in the community.”
Taylor, a North Vancouver resident in his 50s who has spent a lot of time in Squamish, had a “great day” mountain biking here with friends in the morning. Then they went to the beach and Taylor went kite boarding.
Coulthard said the conditions on the water were “really challenging” and Taylor was simply hit by the gust at the wrong time.
Coulthard noted that Taylor is a former Ironman athlete and swimmer who is experienced and very safety conscious.
“I don’t take any risks at all, I’m a very safe person,” he said.
When the accident occurred around 4 p.m. on Monday, Coulthard pulled his friend to shore and performed CPR. There was a large group of people in the park, including trained professionals, who also rushed to help, Coulthard said.
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