Little girl with smashed face at Alameda today

[friggin old guy]

i suppose the HEY YOU approach maybe isn't subtle enough but yeah when it's windy it's kind of hard to be low key

One sort of expects common courtesy but I guess I'm just setting myself up for failure

[kenjidnb]

I saw the accident and there is a few details that people are missing here.

The guy had is kite crashed on the shore break trying to relaunch it. Remembering his body posture, he was apparently a beginner and not in control of his kite at all. The kite was almost on the sand bar with the lines fully tensed, kids were playing really close to it. It was obviously a hazardous situation but I was riding and too far away to be able warn people. Next thing I remember, the kite flipped over quickly on the girl but I am not sure if she was hit by the lines or the bladder itself. Then somebody came to help catching the kite and the guy in question apparently went to the girl who was screaming and bleeding like hell. I don't know what he said but he probably realized his big mistake and hopefully apologized for it.
But the thing is, after 5mn, he was not around anymore. Girl was still bleeding and screaming, her family was by her trying to stop the bleeding. I was then back on the shore and I went to see what was going on.

At the moment, me and other kiters were stunned not to see the guy around. I also talked to the mother who was super upset and I asked her if there was anything we could do. She seemed more interested in finding and talking to the guy who actually caused the accident.
After 20-30mn, a guy came back with a bag of ice and some napkins. Another kiter pointed him, saying "that's him, that's the guy who did it". Unfortunately, the girl and her family was already long gone, probably seeking for medical help.

It was pretty sad to see that. The guy probably felt bad about it and tried to help in his awkward way. Thing is, he shouldn't have left or he should have made sure somebody could actually stay with the little girl.

I don't know how badly she was injured, I am hoping that it was just one of those benign nose bleed.

One thing I know, is that it made all of us looked really bad because many people, including the victim and her family just thought that the guy did not care and flew off the scene.

[marinkiter]

Thanks kenjidnb. It took a while, but the thread got back on topic and it's good to hear what really happened. The kiter probably should had self rescued right there and stuck around. Actually probably shouldn't have has his kite that close to shore where there were bystanders, but failing that I think the thing to do is suck it up, self rescue and help the situation as much as you can. It may be tempting to ride off and look the other way (I'm sure it might cross my mind for a second or too) but it's prettu wrong to do it. I'm honestly a little surprised incidents like this haven't already closed down kiting at a location like Alameda.

[CdoG]

YA., L.M.G tought me to say roll my kite over
and wait till i give you a big thumbs up to release it...

[gnukid]

Let's get to the bottom of this.

[Greg]

It's probable enough that it's credible to me...

People gotta learn to control those kites-
L.M.G.

[funmilton]

What if kites came with ID tags (registration) on the side, specific to the rider, much like registration (title) on a boat or car. Would be easy to ID the rider. Really a sad reality, but much better than kids getting hurt on the beach. If the public is safe we continue to ride. Just an idea.

[funmilton]

You buy a kite you get a title. You sell the kite you transfer the title. You crash the kite you are visable recognized as the owner of the vessel involved in the incident. We are currently recoginized as a sailboat on the water, time to take responsiblity for that privledge.

[marinkiter]

Sounds like bs, a poster makes their second post and claims to know about an accident that no one else knows about nor does it make any sense. It's not credible at this point without some more substantiated reports from someone we know to be credible.

I am not sure why making my 2nd post makes me less credible, or what about the story doesn't make sense. Not sure why anyone would make up this depressing story either... :? Rest assured it's not BS, it actually happened - and if you read the whole thread it was corroborated by Kenji too. Anyway, Gnukid, not sure what your point is but I usually ride a green 11.5m Kahoona and I'm accountable for whatever I say - if you see me at Alameda or 3rd feel free to say hi.

[kenjidnb]

Sounds like bs, a poster makes their second post and claims to know about an accident that no one else knows about nor does it make any sense. It's not credible at this point without some more substantiated reports from someone we know to be credible.

Okay I have only posted 2 times on the forum (well now it makes 3, woohoo). So I agree, I don't have the most credible profile on bak yet. But "bs", no I don't do that [-X , I have more important things to do. I just wanted to share what I have seen, bringing more details to the case. I really don't see what excitement could anyone get by making that up, but maybe you do.