A WINDSURFER has died after becoming separated from his board.
The coastguard was called to the scene shortly after midday today (Wednesday, November 7) after a report a man had got into difficulty off the south end of Blyth Bay, Northumberland.
A spokesperson for Humber Coastguard said: "We already had a helicopter out on exercise in the area.
"It was diverted to the scene and it was also requested that RNLI boats for Blyth and Cullercoats attended.
"The casualty was recovered by the helicopter and taken to Wansbeck Hospital in Ashington, Northumberland, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards."
A spokesman for Northumberland Police said: "At 12.53pm on Wednesday, November 7, police were notified by the Coastguard of a windsurfer missing off coast of Blyth.
"Shortly afterwards they updated us to say that the body of a man had been recovered from the sea.
"He was taken to Wansbeck Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival."
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