Kitesurfer dies after being pulled from harbour

1 day ago

Weymouth inshore lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard

RNLI Weymouth inshore lifeboat with four crew members on board wearing yellow waterproofs, red lifejackets and white helmets. The boat is an orange rib and is sailing into Weymouth Harbour with Weymouth Pier in the background and the seafront behind it in the distance. — Weymouth inshore lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard

A man in his 70s has died while kitesurfing.

People on board an anchored yacht in Portland Harbour, Dorset, reported seeing a person in difficulty in the water shortly after 13:30 BST on Tuesday.

Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station said its crew arrived as the casualty was being pulled from the water by the harbour patrol boat.

The kite surfer was given first aid on the harbour jetty but died at the scene.

Dorset Police said it received a report at about 13:50 BST, "raising concern for the welfare of two men in the water in the area of Portland Harbour".

A spokesperson said: "Emergency services attended and very sadly one of the men, aged in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and his family has been informed.

"Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this very difficult time."

The RNLI inshore lifeboat, an emergency response doctor, an ambulance and harbour staff attended.

A statement on Weymouth Lifeboat's Facebook page said: "This was a very tragic incident, and our thoughts go out to the family and friends."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.