ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A Florida kiteboarder was critically injured Friday morning when he crashed into the side of a concrete pier during very windy conditions, officials said.
The incident happened around 11:15 a.m. at the St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg.
[WARNING: Video atop this story may be considered graphic]
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said crews were called to the pier and found a man suffering from injuries.
“Paramedics stabilized and treated the kiteboarder,” St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said in a statement
The man was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront in critical but stable condition, according to officials.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue shared video recorded by a witness that shows the kiteboarder crashing into the pier.
Weather conditions were very breezy in the area at the time of the incident after a front moved across Florida, bringing rain and storms to the state.
Officials urged people to take caution when participating in water sports during extreme weather.
“Do not take unnecessary risks, and please follow safety recommendations from weather experts,” rescue officials said.
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