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Wind-Whipped Kite Surfer Recovering From Injuries

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Aug 20, 2008 10:36 pm US/Eastern

Wind-Whipped Kite Surfer Recovering From Injuries

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He Was Kite Surfing During Tropical Storm Fay

Wind Blew Him Across A1A & Into A Building
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― A South Florida kite surfer who went for a wild ride during Tropical Storm Fay is doing better.

Wednesday morning 28-year old Kevin Kearney's condition was upgraded from critical to serious.

A CBS4 news crew was on Fort Lauderdale beach at A1A and east Las Olas Boulevard on Monday when a huge gust of wind from Fay blew down the beach and took Kearney by surprise.

The kite boarder was harnessed into his sail when the wind violently picked him up and slammed him onto the sandy beach. Then, he was dragged across the sand before being lifted up into the air again and blown across the street where the wind slammed him into a building.

Fort Lauderdale fire rescue crews quickly arrived on the scene and transported him to Broward General Medical Center in critical condition. His friends believe Kearney will make a full recovery.

WFOR photographer Yuzeith Osorio believes Kearney was blown away by a forming waterspout.

"Basically, we were getting ready to go live and I saw something forming up in the sky. I told Pete, 'Hey, careful, something's forming.'"

"I'm surprised he didn't get hit by a car because we have A1A right here," said CBS4 Engineer Anthony Romano. "I think it was a miracle that he just flew over the street and into the thing."

In a statement, Kearney's family said, "Kevin is an experienced kite-boarder and an all around great guy. We ask that you keep Kevin in your prayers and respect our privacy."

Kearney's friends say he was strapped into a harness with emergency releases. However, everything happened so fast, it's possible he had no time to think about unhooking his clasps. The incident is a very surreal reminder of the dangers inherent in Tropical Storm-force winds.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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