A KITESURFER died after getting into difficulty in the water yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called to Marineside at Bracklesham Bay near Chichester just after 1.10pm.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene after walkers on the beach helped pull him out of the water and called emergency services.
There were high winds across Sussex yesterday, with wind speeds of up to 25mph in Chichester, which is categorised as a strong breeze.
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “I can confirm that we were called shortly after 1.10pm yesterday to Marineside, Bracklesham Bay to reports of a kite-surfer in need of medical attention.
“Ambulance crews attended the scene and were joined at the scene by the air ambulance service. Sadly despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the man was pronounced dead at the scene."
Sussex Police also confirmed it was at the scene.
A woman who was at the beach with her family said she saw the rescue operation and joined other passersby who were trying to help the kitesurfer.
She told The Argus: “I was one of the members of the public who helped pull him to the shore.
“I heard the situation as I was at the beach with my family.
“I was there and helped until the emergency services arrived.”
The tragedy comes as Brighton and Hove City Council warned people to stay away from the sea this winter.
The authority issued the alert a year after the death of Gareth Jones, who drowned trying to save his dog from rough seas.
The 69-year-old drowned near Hove Lagoon after leaping in in a bid to save his cockapoo Connie.
CCTV showed the father of three going into the water.
The beach at Hove Lagoon has steep shingle banks which can catch people off guard and make it hard to get out, especially in rough conditions.
The council urged people to keep their children close at all times and keep their dogs on leads when near the sea, especially in rough conditions.
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