'I realised I was in a bit of trouble': Kite surfer missing for 17 hours after washing up on a remote beach 30km away buried himself in the sand to stay alive
- A kite surfer has survived after becoming stranded 30 kilometres off course
- Matthew Wing washed up on a remote beach after a malfunction of his kite
- The father-of-two had to bury himself in the sand to tackle the cold temperatures
A kite surfer has detailed his tale of survival after becoming stranded more than 30 kilometres from his intended destination.
Matthew Wing, from Perth, Western Australia, said he feared he wouldn't survive the night when he washed up on a remote beach at Geraldton in the state's mid-west.
'The kite fell out of the sky, the wave over ran the kite and somehow I managed to tear it with a line,' he told 7 News of the ordeal.
Kite surfer Matthew Wing has detailed his tale of survival after becoming stranded more than 30 kilometres from his intended destination
'That's when I realised I was in a bit of trouble.'
The father-of-two's nightmare unfolded when strong waves and wind gusts swept him off course - by 30 kilometres on Friday afternoon.
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The kit's malfunction dragged the experienced kite surfer past his intended destination at Coronation Beach.
After washing ashore on a remote beach, Mr Wing was forced to climb treacherous cliffs until he 'couldn't walk any more'.
It is believed a malfunction of his kite meant the experienced kite surfer was dragged past his intended destination at Coronation Beach
But choosing to bury himself in sand amidst the beach's freezing temperatures would prove to be a decision which would save his life.
'That was the coldest I've ever been in my life...I didn't sleep at all last night,' he said.
Meanwhile, after Mr Wing failed to arrive at Coronation Beach from his intended 10-kilometre kite surf on Friday night, friends were quick to raise the alarm.
More than 17 hours after he went missing, Mr Wing (in grey) was spotted by the crew of a marine rescue boat walking along the beach
Soon, a large search operation was launched, including police, planes, boats and helicopters and the State Emergency Services volunteers.
More than 17 hours after he went missing, Mr Wing was spotted by the crew of a marine rescue boat walking along the beach.
After a short stint in hospital, Mr Wing was released to return to his holiday in Geraldton on Saturday afternoon.
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