Care urged after kite surfer rescued
The coastguard has urged kite surfers to take care in choppy waters after a surfer had to be rescued from the sea off the Wirral coast.
The man had been surfing off New Brighton on Saturday and returned to the water to retrieve his lost kite.
Lifeguards on jet skis tried to find him but were unable to so the coastguard, RNLI lifeboat and RAF Valley helicopter were all scrambled.
The kite surfer was found by the lifeboat about a mile offshore.
Liverpool Coastguard watch manager Paul Parkes said: "The kite surfer was lucky to be found because it is hard to spot a head in a black wet suit in choppy water.
"The combination of strong offshore winds and an outgoing tide created difficult conditions for making back to shore.
"Fortunately he was able to lift his board up out of the water when he heard the lifeboat engines in his vicinity."
He urged anyone out on the water to check conditions and tides before setting off and to wear a floatation device and bright clothing.