Ride in peace Andy: Tributes paid to kite-surfer following freak accident at Northumberland beauty spot
Tributes are being paid to a kite-surfer who died in a freak accident at a Northumberland beauty spot.
Tributes are being paid to a kite-surfer who died in a freak accident at a Northumberland beauty spot.
Two air ambulances were scrambled to Budle Bay, near Bamburgh, after the alarm was raised around 11am on Friday.
But Andrew Dyson could not be saved.
A small memorial has been set-up near the spot the tragedy unfolded to allow family and friends to pay their respects.
Posting online, fellow kite-surfer Andrew McMillan said: "Andy was a cherished member of our kiting community and his absence leaves us with an empty heart."
The windy weather on the day forced nearby Bamburgh Castle to close its doors for a short time - with officials saying the strong gusts had made the walk up to the attraction "too dangerous".
Friends who say he will be dearly missed have described Andrew as "a top bloke", and "always with a smiling face to greet you at Budle".
Paying his own tribute, Matthew Pearce said: "It’s really sad to hear of Andrew’s passing. A lovely bloke. Full of stoke for kitesurfing and just life in general.
"It was always good craic hearing about his running, travels and his dogs.
"Kevin Anderson and I taught him to kite way back when and he was keen as mustard from the off."
And Rob Brown added: "Ride in peace Andy 💔 such a lovely nice guy that was always happy doing what he loved and always had a happy outlook to life - your missed dude 🥺"
Air ambulances from Glasgow and Prestwick raced to the scene after the alarm was raised, along with police and paramedics. But the helicopters returned to Scotland shortly after 2pm.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call at 11:11am this morning (28 June) for an incident at Budle, Bamburgh.
"We dispatched two ambulance crews, one clinical team leader, one officer and were supported by our colleagues at Scottish Air Ambulance Service."