A kite surfer has died following a ‘freak accident’ where he was reportedly blown out of the water in high winds and thrown into the side of a moored yacht.
The man, believed to be in his 70s, was recovered from the water by a harbour patrol boat and taken to the harbour jetty where he was pronounced dead at the scene this afternoon.
Photos taken in the aftermath of the tragic event appear to show the tangled kite around the mast of a boat – with local reports suggesting the victim was blown into its side.
Police, lifeboats, coastguard and a search and rescue helicopter responded to the incident at 1.35pm.
Police confirmed a second man was left in the care of the ambulance service.
Winds reached 35mph this afternoon at the harbour – a popular spot for kite and windsurfers.
Portland and neighbouring Weymouth hosted the sailing and windsurfing competitions at the London 2012 Olympics.
A Weymouth Lifeboat spokesman said: ‘Weymouth inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard and launched at approximately 1.35pm to assist with an incident in Portland Harbour.
A kite surfer has died following a ‘freak accident’ where he was reportedly blown out of the water in high winds and thrown into the side of a moored yacht
Photos taken in the aftermath of the tragic event appear to show the tangled kite around the mast of a boat – with local reports suggesting the victim was blown into its side
The man, believed to be in his 70s, was recovered from the water by a harbour patrol boat and taken to the harbour jetty where he was pronounced dead at the scene this afternoon
‘A yacht anchored in the harbour having reported a kite surfer in difficulty to the Coastguard.
‘The ILB crew arrived on scene to find the kite surfer being recovered from the water by the Portland harbour patrol boat.
‘The casualty was transferred to Portland harbour jetty where first aid was administered by the harbour staff and RNLI ILB crew.
‘The Emergency Response doctor and local ambulance crew also attended the scene.
‘Very sadly the casualty was declared dead by a doctor on scene.
‘This is a very tragic incident, and our thoughts go out to the family and friends.’
A Dorset Police spokesman said: ‘We received a report at 1.52pm on Tuesday 15 July 2025 raising concern for the welfare of two men in the water in the area of Portland Harbour.
‘Emergency services attended and very sadly one of the men, aged in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police, lifeboat, coastguard and a search and rescue helicopter responded to the incident at 1.35pm
The ILB crew arrived on scene to find the kite surfer being recovered from the water by the Portland harbour patrol boat
The casualty was transferred to Portland harbour jetty where first aid was administered by the harbour staff and RNLI ILB crew
‘His death is not being treated as suspicious and his family has been informed.
‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
‘The second person has been left in the care of the ambulance service.’
