KITE SURFER ASSISTED AFTER GETTING INTO DIFFICULTY


At 2.20 pm a concerned member of the public watched a kite surfer who had come off his board and was in the water.

After watching him for a short while, they called 999 and gave the details of what they had seen to Liverpool MRCC.

Lytham St Annes Coastguard rescue team were called out and they meet with the concerned member of the public who pointed out the position of the kitesurfer.

Lytham St Annes RNLI Inshore lifeboat was requested to launch and they went out into the Ribble Estuary and assisted him to shore, where he was checked by ambulance staff.
The weather at the time was North Westerly F7 (near gale force) to F8 (gale force).

The man was warmed up in the ambulance as he was extremely cold and was released to return home.

Brian George, Watch Officer, Liverpool Coastguard said:

This kite surfer had been out enjoying his sport since 10.30 this morning. He told the coastguards that he had no flare pack, or a hand held vhf radio to enable him to call for help. He also told them that he had not told anyone ashore where he was going or what activity he was undertaking.

Fortunately, he was spotted and the member of public called for help on his behalf.
We recommend that kite surfers make an assessment of the weather in relation to their capabilities, carry some equipment to raise the alarm in case of difficulty, and always tell someone ashore what you are doing and where.  

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