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CBS4 Cameraman Gives Comfort To Kite Surfer Family

Click Here To Make A Donation To Kevin's Medical Expenses

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― It was Monday that Kevin Kearney, 28, flew by a CBS4 live truck on a Fort Lauderdale beach. His mother and father cannot believe the progress their son has made after thrown airborne into a building by strong winds.

The parents wanted to meet Yuzeith Osorio, who videotaped the incident which was seen around the world. On Friday, they did.

Alicia Paradise-Garza, Kearney's mother, said to Osorio,"Thank you, for your compassion and kind words."  She was complimentary for the amount of concern he and others showed toward her son. 

The terrible incident left Kearney with a broken rib, four fractures in his back, 26 stitches in his face and swelling on his brain.

Osorio commented to his parents, "I felt bad for him."

Kearneys' parents shared pictures they took of their son in the hospital; he's since been released and is resting at home.

"He doesn't remember anything," added his mother.  "At the hospital, he kept telling medical personnel, 'you have the wrong guy'."

His father, also named Kevin Kearney, but with a different middle name, saw the videotape of his son and said, "Since then, I have driven by the building where it happened,  and it is scary.  It makes you sick to your stomach." 

Kearney is an experienced kite surfer who has also taught the sport. When Tropical Storm Fay approached, lifeguards warned him and others to leave. 

Alicia added, "They made the decision to come in, and then nature took over."

Kearney's father said he spoke to his son thirty minutes before he harnessed himself to his kite, and asked him to be careful.

"For him to go through this," his father said, "he may be starting to think he is invincible."

Asked if she thought her son would continue in the sport, she replied, "I would prefer that he not, but I can pretty much guarantee you that he will."

She laughingly told the CBS4 crew, "He said he'd give lessons to you guys - if you were willing to crash into a building. He would tape the footage."

Osorio said he's grateful their son is recovering well at home. He added, it's one story he may never forget.

Kevin had no insurance to cover his medical bill from Broward General Medical Center, which could cost $75,000.

A website has been established called kevinkite.org to help with donations.

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