Tourist breaks back in Knysna speed boat

An English holiday maker had to be rescued by boat from the Knysna heads after suffering a broken back while ridding on a speed boat.

FLA

ACCIDENT-KNYSNA

JOHANNESBURG Jan 14 Sapa

TOURIST BREAKS BACK IN KNYSNA SPEED BOAT

An English holiday maker had to be rescued by boat from the Knysna heads after suffering a broken back while ridding on a speed boat, said the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said on Saturday.

Spokesman Craig Lambinon said the NSRI received reports Friday afternoon at 3.45pm of a man injured nearly three kilometres offshore.

"On arrival on-scene, 47 year old David Burdett, from Eastbourne East, Sussex, England, on holiday in South Africa with family, was treated for a lower back injury.

"The injury is suspected to have been sustained while wave riding on a high speed charter boat," he said.

Burdett was transported by boat to an ambulance on shore and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

The hospital confirmed he had suffered a fracture of a lower spinal vertebrae.

Sapa

/jl/aw/pc 01/14/12 11-07