Kite tube recalled after two deaths, several dozen injuries         

Coast Guard Auxiliary alerts boaters about water toy recall

[JULY 15, 2006]  In an effort to reduce the chance of any additional incidents and injuries in the midst of the busy boating season, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is alerting boaters about an important water toy recall by the manufacturer.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Sportsstuff Inc. of Omaha, Neb., is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 Wego Kite Tubes. Reportedly, the safety commission has received accounts of 39 injury incidents, with 29 of those resulting in the need for medical treatment. Those injuries included a broken neck, a punctured lung, chest and back injuries, and facial injuries.

Sportsstuff has received reports of two deaths in the United States and reports of a variety of serious injuries. The company has been unable to determine the cause of the incidents. Nevertheless, the company has withdrawn the kite tube from the market and is undertaking this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.

The Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tube is a 10-foot-wide, circular, yellow inflatable watercraft designed to be towed behind a power boat. A rider in the tube becomes airborne by pulling on handles attached to the floor of the tube. "Model 53-5000" is printed on the tube near the product valve. The floor of the tube has black caution warning stripes. The cover for the product bears a skull and crossbones and the statement "Never Kite higher than you are willing to fall."

The tubes were imported and sold through marine distributors, mail-order catalogs and various retailers from approximately Oct. 1, 2005, to July 11, 2006, for about $500 to $600.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the kite tubes and contact Sportsstuff at [phone] between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday to learn how to obtain free replacement products. Consumers can also visit the firm's online site at www.sportsstuff.com for more information.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary reminds boaters to always use caution when playing with water toys. Precautions include making sure all riders, skiers and wake-boarders wear a life jacket and that an observer keeps an eye on the occupants of the water toy at all times.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, volunteer component that assists the active-duty Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing maritime domain awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education. Its over 31,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.

[U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary news release]