KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- An Iowa man practicing for an upcoming luge competition died in a freak accident on a Kansas City, Kan., street Saturday night.

Police said Steven Baumgarter, 28, traveled to Kansas City, Kan., with friends for a competition.

Around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Baumgarter did a practice run down Puckett Road near Rosedale Park.

He lost control, hit a tree and died at the scene, police said.

Officers said Baumgarter was wearing a helmet and safety equipment, and he had been practicing with two other friends.

One friend told KCTV5 he had heard of lugers breaking bones before but never heard of anyone dying from it.