Windsurfer found dead in the water off Hayling Island

Emergency services were called to the incident just after midday today.

A dinghy raised the alarm when it spotted windsurfing equipment floating in the sea.

Shortly afterwards, the dinghy crew found a man’s body, brought him aboard and took him back to shore.

The man was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham by helicopter, where he was pronounced dead.

The Coastguard helicopter, three RNLI lifeboats, police and paramedics were called to the beach.

The scene was cleared by 1pm.

A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 12.07pm today to Havant Road, Hayling Island.

‘We sent a community responder, an ambulance crew and an ambulance officer.

‘We treated one patient, who was flown to QA Hospital by the Coastguard with a paramedic.’

A spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘Police can confirm they were called to Hayling Island just after 12.20pm on Saturday, November 22 after a man was found in the water near to Victoria Road.

‘The man in his 50s was pronounced dead a short time later. Police are in the process of notifying his next of kin.

‘His death is not being treated as suspicious.’