St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue released video Friday of an incident in which a kiteboarder was injured after being slammed into the city’s pier by strong wind and waves. The department also issued a safety warning. (Note: some ad blockers may interfere with the video player above.)
At approximately 11:15 a.m., St. Petersburg Fire Rescue responded to the St. Pete Pier for reports of an injured kiteboarder, according to a statement from officials. Units arrived to find an injured adult male on the pier, whose kiteboard can be seen in video shot by a bystander losing control of the board and being taken by a combination of wind and waves into the structure.
Paramedics stabilized and treated the kiteboarder, authorities said, and he was transported in critical but stable condition to Orlando Health Bayfront.
“St. Petersburg Fire Rescue urges water sports enthusiasts to take caution when participating in a water sport during extreme weather,” the department said in the statement. “Do not take unnecessary risks, and please follow safety recommendations from weather experts. ”
The entire bay area is under a rip current advisory, with the National Weather Service office in Ruskin predicting wind gusts of up to 30 m.p.h. Friday.
