A 35-year-old man has been airlifted off the Island for critical care after suffering severe head injuries in a kite surfing accident.

Police said that at about 3.30 p.m. yesterday (Saturday) officers were called to the incident at Somerset Long Bay beach, in Sandys.

A spokesman said: “It appears that a 35-year-old Paget man, a contract worker, was kite surfing on the shoreline around Somerset Long Bay when he apparently lost control of his kite-board and was dragged onto the rocks resulting in him suffering hand, leg and severe head injuries.

“The man was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. The most recent information states that he has been airlifted off the Island for critical care. Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact Somerset Police Station on 234-1010.”

* See tomorrow’s Royal Gazette for the full story.