A kitesurfer was left fighting for their life after unpredictable strong gusts hurled them onto sands at Old Hunstanton Beach in North Norfolk.
Coastguards from Hunstanton, Wells and Sutton Bridge raced to stabilise the unconscious casualty, who had been picked up and hurled around 20 feet to the ground by a strong wind.
“The incident happened about five minutes from the HM Coastguard Station at Hunstanton,” says duty Senior Coastal Operations Officer Christon Iliffe.
“The casualty required an urgent response, so our team was tasked to maintain their condition and keep them safe and comfortable until a paramedic arrived.
“Our observation checks are repeated at regular intervals depending on severity. We test pulse, breathing rate and capillary refill, which measures blood flow through body tissues.
“Coastal situations can change rapidly, so we’re also aware of tide, weather and conditions which could provoke us to move a casualty with such injuries to safety if there was a further risk to life.”
Once the casualty was stabilised, the wait for a safe means of extraction had begun. With an air ambulance tasked to the incident, the team’s role also included identifying and clearing a safe landing site for the helicopter and crew.
For beach-based helicopter landings, there are numerous dangers, including other beach users, and Foreign Object Debris (FOD).
“There could be other kites being flown nearby, and with a downed kitesurfer, it’s very possible that they could’ve lost grip on their kite or craft. An untethered kite could pose a very real danger to a crew attempting to land,” says Christon, who offers some safety advice for others enjoying windier days on the Norfolk coastline.
“We’re very pleased to have helped the casualty safely into the care of a responding air ambulance. I’m a sea and beach enthusiast and I know how much fun watersports both on coastal and inland waters can be, but local sandbars, low tides and changing wind directions can make for very challenging conditions which can change at a moment’s notice.”
“It’s always very important to know the area you’re visiting and to understand the dangers. In Norfolk, the tidal variation is quite large and can see beachgoers stuck on exposed sandbars and islands as the tide floods in behind them.
“Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, get to know and respect your abilities, and think about doing water sports alongside others in case of an emergency. Share your start and finish times so that people will know when to expect you back on land.
“Mark up your equipment and board, so that if it drifts off or is lost on waterways or the coast, we can get in touch to make sure that you’re safe and don’t need our help.”
Sports like paddleboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, foiling and kayaking, should always see enthusiasts wear personal flotation devices (PFDs), while carrying a fully charged mobile phone in waterproof pouches or other devices such as Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and VHF radios.
Read more about HM Coastguard’s top sea safety tips here.
