A LIFEBOAT crew rushed to help with a surfer who was struggling to get back to the shore in Southend. 

On Friday, October 6, at about 4.40pm, Southend RNLI volunteers were tasked by H.M. Coastguard to assist a distressed kitesurfer out at sea.

The incident was reported in the vicinity of the Mulberry Harbour off Thorpe Bay.

Echo: Rescue - the lifeboat crews head to the sceneRescue - the lifeboat crews head to the scene (Image: Martin Harvey/Southend RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist)

In what the lifesaving charity described as “clear skies with a calm sea and a moderate west breeze”, RNLI volunteers were launched at 4.52pm and headed towards the reported location.

Arriving on the scene swiftly at 4.56pm, the RNLI inshore lifeboat crew quickly located the casualty. 

A spokesman said: "The male kitesurfer had been struggling to get back to shore for about 40 minutes.

Echo: Saved - once rescued, the kitesurfer underwent a quick medical assessment on the lifeboatSaved - once rescued, the kitesurfer underwent a quick medical assessment on the lifeboat (Image: Martin Harvey/Southend RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist)

"After he was taken onboard the charity’s D-class lifeboat, a medical assessment found the casualty in good health with no medical assistance needed.

"The volunteer crew then transferred the casualty to West beach slipway at 5.02pm where Southend Coastguard rescue team took care of the kitesurfer."

For key safety information on kitesurfing, visit the RNLI website at rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kitesurfing.