Kite surfer 'lucky to be alive'

A kite surfer was said to be lucky to be alive after being found clinging to his broken gear in rough seas and gale force winds off the Hampshire coast.

The 48-year-old man's clothes were found on Hayling beach, leading to large search on Wednesday evening.

In fading light an RNLI lifeboat found him clinging to his kite and board one mile from the shore and after more than two hours in the water.

He and was taken to hospital suffering from exhaustion and severe hypothermia.

Rough sea

RNLI senior helm Ian Fiddaman, who was in charge of the rescue boat, said: "He was very lucky to be found so quickly.

"He was wearing a dark wetsuit and the black and white kite he was clinging to in the water was not easy to see in the poor light and rough sea."

Solent Coastguard co-ordinated the search in Hayling Bay using three RNLI lifeboats, which had to battle 8ft (2.5m) waves at the entrance to Chichester Harbour.

Crewman Andy Ferguson said the kite surfer owed his life to Mr Fiddaman's professional boat handling skills in difficult conditions.