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| Girlfriend pays tribute to kitesurfer who died in Saunton | Girlfriend pays tribute to kitesurfer who died in Saunton |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The girlfriend of a kitesurfer who died in strong winds has said she is "absolutely devastated" by his death. | The girlfriend of a kitesurfer who died in strong winds has said she is "absolutely devastated" by his death. |
| Ben Witts was kitesurfing at Saunton Sands near Barnstaple in north Devon on Saturday when he was fatally injured. | |
| His girlfriend Cheylee Howson, who said she pulled Mr Witts from the sea, thanked people who had "rushed to help me". | His girlfriend Cheylee Howson, who said she pulled Mr Witts from the sea, thanked people who had "rushed to help me". |
| Mr Witts was an experienced instructor and owner of Saunton-based North Devon Kitesurfing. | Mr Witts was an experienced instructor and owner of Saunton-based North Devon Kitesurfing. |
| He was pulled from the sea at about 11:00 GMT and taken to North Devon District Hospital by air ambulance, but was confirmed dead later. | He was pulled from the sea at about 11:00 GMT and taken to North Devon District Hospital by air ambulance, but was confirmed dead later. |
| Writing on Facebook, Ms Howson said: "I did everything I could to pull him out of the water and help him before the paramedics arrived. | Writing on Facebook, Ms Howson said: "I did everything I could to pull him out of the water and help him before the paramedics arrived. |
| "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to the amazing people on Saunton beach who rushed to help me." | "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to the amazing people on Saunton beach who rushed to help me." |
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| She said that Mr Witts was "everything I've ever dreamed of and what we had was incredible". | She said that Mr Witts was "everything I've ever dreamed of and what we had was incredible". |
| "Nothing will ever be the same without you here... and knowing I'm never going to be in your arms again hurts like nothing I can explain," Ms Howson added. | "Nothing will ever be the same without you here... and knowing I'm never going to be in your arms again hurts like nothing I can explain," Ms Howson added. |
| Latest news and stories from Devon | Latest news and stories from Devon |
| Mr Witts had been kitesurfing for about five years, according to friends. | Mr Witts had been kitesurfing for about five years, according to friends. |
| Phil Parry, of West Kiteboarding, said his "thoughts are with his family" and Mr Witts would be "sadly missed". | Phil Parry, of West Kiteboarding, said his "thoughts are with his family" and Mr Witts would be "sadly missed". |
| "He lived for the sport and it had always been his dream to have a kitesurfing school," Mr Parry said. | "He lived for the sport and it had always been his dream to have a kitesurfing school," Mr Parry said. |
| "He had achieved that and he was very excited about the season and pushing his business." | "He had achieved that and he was very excited about the season and pushing his business." |
| Angela Calver said his death was "tragic news" and Mr Witts was a "such a lovely person". | Angela Calver said his death was "tragic news" and Mr Witts was a "such a lovely person". |
| Police have handed a file to the coroner. | Police have handed a file to the coroner. |