Kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' but loses finger tip

A professional kiteboarder said she is lucky to be alive after losing part of a finger in a training accident on the water.

Lily Young, from Weymouth, was dragged face-first through the sea when a kite line became tangled around her helmet when boarding in France.

The athlete tried to free herself by using her hands, suffering serious injuries – including the loss of the tip of her left index finger.

Now, less than four months on, Young has already returned to competing at the sport's highest level.

Warning: Graphic images below

Reflecting on the incident, she said: "It was a very bad situation. I knew I probably didn't have long to get myself out of it.

"I just knew I needed to get this line off me as quick as I possibly could, and unfortunately it ended up ripping through the back of my helmet and taking my finger off before I could even try.

"I'm super grateful to still be here, let alone be continuing professional sport to a high level."

Young said kiteboarders would usually avoid putting their hands anywhere near the lines – but that she was running on instinct as she tried to free herself.

It was only after escaping that she fully realised the severity of her injuries.

"I cut through an artery. I could see the bone and I knew the finger was gone," she said.

Her coach helped her to shore, where an ambulance was waiting, and she was taken to a specialist hospital for emergency surgery.

She later underwent further operations and skin grafts in the UK, followed by weeks of hand therapy.

Despite missing the winter training season, Young has now returned to the water and is targeting the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics after missing out on qualification for the Paris games in 2024.

"It was amazing to get back," she said.

"I was super nervous, but we took it slow and it was all about enjoyment.

"I feel like I've come back doing things better, with better habits and routines."

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