Accident at Lyle today?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Anyone know what happened? We were all playing in the Klickitat when Jeff and a few of the others saw a guy getting drug down the sandbar from the south/western tip as his kite death spiraled out of control. Ken, Tim, Lindsay, and a bunch of other people ran over to help, but by then someone had already grabbed the kite and it had it safely on the ground. Ambulance/parametics were there within 20 or so mins so they packed him up and carried him away (we're pretty sure he could have walked though - perhaps had a broken collar bone?)

Anyway, just curious what went wrong as I'm fairly sure the guy was flying his kite on the beach (not even dressed to ride in the water)...

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 440 Posts Obsessed

Did not see it happen but I heard that the kiter got lofted 10-15' and slammed down on the beach. I saw the medics sliding the strecher under him; the injuired kiter did not seem very mobile to me. I also thought I saw an IV which would suggest more serious an inquiry.

bamboo · Since 24 Jun 2005 165 Posts da 'chung; taiwan Stoked

he was c-spined w/ o2 and on a board. so it had to be pretty big damage for them to use those types of precautions.

nothing beats walking down the spit to pump up just as a dude gets carried out on a board.

LP · Since 05 Apr 2007 115 Posts HR Stoked

kent · Since 19 Aug 2007 5 Posts Hood River New Member

The guy is seriously hurt. He is in The Dalles hospital with collapsed lung, broken collar bones, broken ribs, ruptured spleen and perhaps more.

Let's all send good get well vibes to him.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Oh wow, that's a lot more serious than we figured. Guess he got slammed pretty hard, and multiple times.

Get well man!

Mark · Sun Aug 19, 07 4:21 pm

Ouch. Good luck and I hope for a quick recovery.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Aug 19, 07 7:29 pm **Re: Lyle accident Saturday**

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Any idea what size/type of kite? Also if he was in street clothes can we assume he was just learning?

hedquista · Since 13 Apr 2007 72 Posts Salt lake city

no one like to see or even hear of this happening. get well quick bro. freak accidents happen i know but everyone needs to take extra precautions when kiting. this is a sad story. i hope for a speedy recovery. card from all the kiters is a good idea

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Jeff said it looked like an older Naish or something... I just saw it all rolled up.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

I was just screwing around on the beach after most people had packed up and ended up getting tossed and dragged for a solid 30 feet. I'm thinking twice next time, vibes for a broken off kiter.

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

A get well card would be nice a touch from the kiting community. We will have a big a piece of paper at the KB4C event on Sat if people want to sign it. If anyone is friends with this person and can deliver it to him that would be great.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 20, 07 8:33 am

I think he was trying to land his kite but everyone ignored him.

Mark · Mon Aug 20, 07 8:51 am

I hope it wasnt the four guys that were at the sandbar on Friday. They had a old x3 12 meter. They were trying to hot launch and I yelled "don't do it" anyway they did..... good sand dragging. Ran over and pulled the plug on the lines as he was still holding the bar unhooked!

They had not taken lessons and bought the kite cheap. Nice guys. I talked them into going to Pepe's to buy a trainer kite and sign up for lessons. Hope they took my advice.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder