A surfer had a lucky escape when he fell 20ft off his wheeled board onto the beach in front of horrified holiday crowds.

The man, aged in his 30s, broke his left arm and suffered multiple injuries to his legs while surfing at Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

The Sunday afternoon crowds on the Belvedere Beach raised the alarm just after 4.30pm when the surfer fell off his kite board while riding a 20ft breaker.

The incident happened 300 yards south of the charity’s lifeguard unit and RNLI lifeguards gave first aid, followed by a team of paramedics.

Coastguards created a landing area nearby so the casualty could be flown to hospital by air ambulance.

Because he had suspected spinal injuries he was put onto a spinal board and carried him to the waiting Yorkshire Air Ambulance and he was airlifted to Hull Royal infirmary.

David Brant, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, said: “The casualty received swift and effective treatment which is testament to the seamless teamwork demonstrated by the agencies involved. We wish him a quick recovery.”