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Old 08-16-2006, 07:30 PM
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Squall Story #I - Pompano


Something evil this way comes ... no, just a squall, usually not that evil aside from the odd tornado, burst and lightning, if you choose to deal with it properly. This is that same squall that hit Ft. Lauderdale earlier in the year.


The first accident happened in Pompano, approximately in the area highlighted in red. A kiter reportedly had just rigged up a 15 m C kite and launched as a nasty black squall was obviously moving into shore. Other riders, although not all riders at this launch had already landed to prepare for the storm. The wind had been east, onshore at about 15 kts. when it very suddenly shifted south, sideshore to about 35 kts. by reports. The rider had his kite at the zenith when he was lofted approximately 30 ft. high by an observer account. He cleared some steel and canvas cabanas fortunately in this flight. The rider accidentally pulled hard on one side of the bar while in flight and was in turn hurled him about 50 ft. downwind to several hard impacts against the sand. The rider was reported not to have tried to activate his quick release. He struck head first and inverted against the sand in this process, presumably knocking him unconscious. The kite powered up and autorelaunched lofting him another approximate 100 yards down the beach to the north northwest unmoving and apparently unconscious. Another kiter sprinted to grab and secure the kite but before he could reach it a bystander grabbed the control bar and not knowing any better initiated dragging of the victim roughly 20 yards further. Emergency services reportedly arrived within a few minutes and transported the kiter to the hospital. The kiter was reported conscious at this point but incoherent and in pain. The man's rig had one broken line. The quick release was reported to have worked properly when checked shortly after the accident. Information was gathered from an account on kiteforum, Graham Goodwin with Ft. Lauderdale Kiting and other sources.


The kiter suffered a broken C2 vertebra, usually the goal in hanging. This injury is often fatal but in this case the rider was very lucky. He also fractured his collar bone. It was indicated that he will have to wear a halo perhaps similar to that shown above for perhaps 3 months. He may require surgery to address the fracture. The kiter reportedly has lost recollection of the accident to amnesia. We all sincerely hope the rider suffers no permanent disability from this accident and heals fully and fast.
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