A COURAGEOUS paratrooper who plunged into icy waters in a bid to rescue a drowning kite surfer will be recommended for a bravery award.

Marthinus Prinsloo grabbed a lifebelt from the promenade and managed to drag Charlie Williams to the beach after he got into difficulties off Southbourne beach last month.

Tragically his efforts were in vain and the 30-year-old from Irving Road in Bournemouth was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital, an inquest heard.

District coroner Sheriff Payne was told that Mr Williams, a wind tunnel engineer who worked at Southampton University, was one of a number of kite surfers taking advantage of challenging conditions on the morning of Sunday February 11.

He had taken a kite surfing course in the Caribbean a year earlier and was competent, but not a strong swimmer, the Bournemouth inquest was told.

Fellow kite surfer, student Adam Taylor, told the coroner there were huge waves and 20 knot winds and that Mr Williams kite simply fell out of the sky after he was struck by a wave and knocked off his board.

The inquest heard Mr Williams tried to swim to shore but did not make it. The cause of his death was drowning.

His friend and colleague, Christopher Harmer, told how he spotted him with his head in the water but was unable to rescue him because he too had been forced to swim to shore and he was exhausted.

Mr Prinsloo, who was out for a run, asked to borrow Mr Harmers wetsuit and swam to the aid of Mr Williams.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Payne said: I feel that Mr Prinsloo should be congratulated on going into the sea to rescue Charlie. I will be recommending a commendation for his bravery.

And Mr Payne warned: The sea is a very demanding medium in which to carry out any form of sport. Even those who are on the sea on a daily basis come to grief.

  • Since the death of Mr Williams a fund ghas been set up to help his family and to provide two benches in his memory, one near the Bistro on the Beach at Southbourne and one at Baiter, where he learned to kite surf. Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so at Barclays Bank in Bournemouth, sort code 20-11-39, account number 20970115, account name Charles Williams Memorial fund.