Kite surfer Sean Sands was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn where he later died
A kite surfer has died after getting into difficulties off the coast of Norfolk.
Emergency services were called by members of the public after
the man was spotted in the North Sea at Hunstanton, at about 15:00 GMT,
on Saturday.He was pulled unconscious from the sea and lifeboat crews treated him before he was airlifted to hospital in King's Lynn, where he later died.
Hunstanton Sailing Club named the dead man as Sean Sands, one of its members.
In a statement, the club said: "Sean lost control of his kite and for reasons not known to us yet, was unable to trigger his emergency quick release.
"Fellow club members and kite surfers were immediately on the scene to try to help Sean and the RNLI were called straight away.
"Sean was a hugely popular character and someone who made everyone feel like they were a close friend.
"Hunstanton Sailing Club have lost a true brother, a friend to so many and one of life's genuinely effervescent characters."
A flag flew at half-mast outside the sailing club over the weekend.
Mr Sands, who was in his forties, was also a member of the nearby King's Lynn Triathlon Club, which posted a statement on Facebook.
It read: "I am sad to report that a fellow triathlete and good friend to many of our members had a tragic accident whilst out kite surfing yesterday.
"I would say on behalf of all our members that our thoughts are with Sean's family and friends."
