A coastal search was initiated on Christmas Eve after a local coastguard spotted a kite surfing rig drifting south of Orcombe point, Exmouth. There was no sign of the kite surfer.

The inshore lifeboat George Bearman was tasked at 12.56pm. The volunteer crew retrieved the kite and it was established the kite surfer had used the emergency pull on it to detach themselves from the kite, but the person was nowhere to be seen.

The all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean was also launched to carry out a search from Exmouth to Straight Point along with coastguards and Portland Coastguard helicopter.

A while later, Brixham Coastguards received a call from a lady kite surfer to say that she had to detach her rig after getting her lines tangled up. Her husband, a fellow kite surfer, had helped her back to shore. She confirmed the make and colour of the kite found and all units were stood down.