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Champion snowboarder dies after mysteriously crashing through the windshield of a flat he shared with other students
- Young NZ student died after falling through window in ‘unexplained’ incident
- Samuel Finnemore, 19, was found seriously injured 30 meters from home at 3:50 am
- He burst through the window of a house he shared with other students
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A teenage snowboard champion has died two days before his birthday after mysteriously crashing through a window, leaving his family and fellow students in shock.
19-year-old Samuel Finnemore died early Tuesday outside a rental home he shared with fellow students in Riccarton, New Zealand’s Christchurch.
The Auckland boy was found seriously injured around 4 a.m. on Tuesday 30 meters from his home, near the intersection of Elizabeth and Matipo streets.
‘We will celebrate him’: Sam Finnemore’s devastated family released a statement saying they lost their ‘happy’ and ‘loving child’ two days before he turned 20
The Auckland boy was found seriously injured around 4 a.m. on Tuesday 30 meters from his home, near the intersection of Elizabeth and Matipo streets.
It was reported that Mr Finnemore had crashed through the window before he was found unconscious. stuff.co.nz reported.
Paramedics on the scene were unable to revive Mr Finnemore, who studied geology at the University of Canterbury.
The exact nature of the incident is being investigated by Canterbury Police.
“Police continue to treat Sam’s death as inexplicable,” they said in a statement.
“An autopsy was performed today and our investigation is ongoing.”
19-year-old Samuel Finnemore died early Tuesday outside a rental home he shared with fellow students in Riccarton, New Zealand’s Christchurch.
Mr Finnemore won several age group snowboarding events and was popular at the University of Canterbury
A homeowner down the street said he was aware of an incident at the rental property where Mr Finnemore lived but declined to comment further.
His devastated family released a statement saying they lost their “happy” and “loving child” two days before he turned 20.
“Sam was a loving only child of Cameron and Lisa living in Auckland, and beloved cousin, nephew and grandson of family in Christchurch, Tauranga and London,” the statement read.
“He loved university and recently turned to geology, a subject he only discovered when he came to Canterbury,” the family said.
“He was loved, happy, and spent time with his many friends in Auckland, Christchurch and Wanaka. Sam loved life, was always happy.
“We celebrate him and will remember him fondly.”
Students at the University of Canterbury were shocked by Mr Finnemore’s sudden death and received counseling.
Mr Finnemore was an age group snowboard champion, winning Rookie Fest in 2019
There was “a sense of real sadness among the entire student community,” said Pierce Crowley, president of the University of Canterbury Students’ Association.
His former headmaster, Mark Wilson, of the Kristin School said Mr Finnemore was a “beloved student and member of our school community.”
Mr Finnemore has won several age group snowboarding events including the Rookie Fest in 2019 and the senior boys title at the Auckland Secondary Schools Snowboarding Championships in 2020.