AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a kitesurfer who got into difficulties in the sea off Southbourne beach on Sunday.

Wind tunnel engineer Charles Benjamin Williams, a 30-year-old married man from Irving Road, Southbourne, died from drowning, a post-mortem examination has confirmed.

A Dorset police spokesman said Mr Williams, who has relatives living in the Bournemouth area, was pursuing his passion for kitesurfing when tragedy struck near the Bistro on the Beach restaurant, about 40 metres off the shore.

The alarm was raised at 11.53am and coastguards alerted two helicopters and a lifeboat. By the time emergency services had been scrambled members of the public had recovered Mr Williams from the sea.

They assisted paramedics in desperate efforts to revive Mr Williams, who was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital by ambulance.

Despite extensive resuscitation, Mr Williams was confirmed dead. A police spokesman said his family, who have asked to be left alone to grieve, are devastated and struggling to come to terms with his death.

"Mr Williams' family are in deep distress and have requested privacy at this time.

"Kitesurfing was Mr Williams' hobby and his life," the spokesman added.

The Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset Coroner has been informed and an investigation launched into Mr Williams' death.

An inquest was opened and adjourned at Bournemouth Coroner's Court at lunchtime yesterday.

  • Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information should contact Dorset police on 01202 222222.