Family Devastated After Staten Island Man Dies On New Zealand Kayak Trip
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Staten Island man on vacation with college friends died while kayaking on a lake in New Zealand, and family members were distraught Sunday.
CBS2's Matt Kozar spoke Daniel Hollnsteiner's family members about how they were coping.
"We were very close," said Gaby Adia. "He was like a second brother."
Hollnsteiner, 21, died while kayaking with 10 friends on a lake in New Zealand. He went to the University of Buffalo, but had been studying abroad in Australia at Monash University.
"The wind apparently swept the kayak and it swamped, and it tipped over the boat, and they were on the water for apparently an hour," Adia said.
Hollnsteiner's mother told CBS2's Kozar on the phone that she was too devastated to talk on camera. She said her son was wearing a life vest when he was in the kayak.
Authorities suspect hypothermia was the cause of Hollsteiner's death.
James Murphy, 20, of London also died.
Investigators said the young men made it to a small island, where they lit a fire to keep warm. Local volunteers and emergency services rescued the group from both water and land.
"I understand they were told to go a certain distance, and they may have gone out further than they were meant to go," said Timaru Police Inspector Dave Gasking.
Hollsteiner comes from a family of devout Catholics.
"I thought it was kind of ironic that it happened when the pope was here," Adia said. "I'm staying strong for my family. We're all just sticking together as a unit."
Hollsteiner said her son loved sports. The New York Rangers were his favorite team.
He also loved the outdoors and traveling abroad – so much so that he was considering another semester overseas.
"The last message that I had from him was that he was coming to visit us in January and that he was really excited to see us," Adia said.
Adia said she was relying on her faith to carry her through.
