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Darwin Awards
2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Riders on the Storm

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Darwin says, "Accepted into the Archive -- Near Miss"


ORIGINAL SUBMISSION:

Kite Surfing in a Tropical Storm

26 year old Kevin Kearney was kite surfing off Ft. Lauderdale Beach when a gust of wind cought his kite carying him about 40 feet and then picking him back up and sending him 20 to 30 feet in the air and 60 to 70 feet smashing him against a building. A news crew doing on reporting on Tropical Storm Fay got the unfortunate Mr. Kearney in mid flight from the ocean to the beach and his take off from the beach crossing US A1A on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. News reports have him in critical condition and his friends said he will recover.

http://cbs4.com/local/Kite.Surfer.las.2.798049.html

Aug 20, 2008 10:36 pm US/Eastern

Wind-Whipped Kite Surfer Recovering From Injuries:
He Was Kite Surfing During Tropical Storm Fay
Wind Blew Him Across A1A & Into A Building

Reporting: Peter D'Oench

FORT LAUDERDALE A South Florida kite surfer who went for a wild ride during Tropical Storm Fay is doing better.

Wednesday morning 28-year old Kevin Kearney's condition was upgraded from critical to serious.

A CBS4 news crew was on Fort Lauderdale beach at A1A and east Las Olas Boulevard on Monday when a huge gust of wind from Fay blew down the beach and took Kearney by surprise.

The kite boarder was harnessed into his sail when the wind violently picked him up and slammed him onto the sandy beach. Then, he was dragged across the sand before being lifted up into the air again and blown across the street where the wind slammed him into a building.

Fort Lauderdale fire rescue crews quickly arrived on the scene and transported him to Broward General Medical Center in critical condition. His friends believe Kearney will make a full recovery.

WFOR photographer Yuzeith Osorio believes Kearney was blown away by a forming waterspout.

"Basically, we were getting ready to go live and I saw something forming up in the sky. I told Pete, 'Hey, careful, something's forming.'"

"I'm surprised he didn't get hit by a car because we have A1A right here," said CBS4 Engineer Anthony Romano. "I think it was a miracle that he just flew over the street and into the thing."

In a statement, Kearney's family said, "Kevin is an experienced kite-boarder and an all around great guy. We ask that you keep Kevin in your prayers and respect our privacy."

Kearney's friends say he was strapped into a harness with emergency releases. However, everything happened so fast, it's possible he had no time to think about unhooking his clasps. The incident is a very surreal reminder of the dangers inherent in Tropical Storm-force winds.

Submitted on 08/19/2008

Submitted by: Fred
Reference: http://cbs4.com/local/Kite.Surfer.las.2.798049.html 8/18/08

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
A lot of these "surfer" types tend to go out in the presence of storms and hurricanes, but this is the first time I've ever heard of something like this! I will give it an HM, if only because it is pretty much straight out of a cartoon! Thanks, Fred!


Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I've seen the news footage of this guy on tv at least twice in the last day. He certainly is worthy of an HM as far as I'm concerned! Thanks, Fred!


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