Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tubes Withdrawn from Market after Reports of Deaths and Injuries

Recalled July 13, 2006 · CPSC recall 06210 · Sportsstuff

Hazard

A rider in the tube can become airborne, by pulling on handles attached to the floor of the tube. That could result in serious injuries.

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the kite tubes and discard them. The firm is no longer in business. Remedy and contact information are no longer available.

Units

About 19,000

Incidents / injuries

CPSC staff is aware of 39 injury incidents, with 29 of those resulting in medical treatment. Those injuries include a broken neck, punctured lung, chest and back injuries and facial injuries. Sportsstuff has received reports of two deaths in the United States and a variety of serious injuries. Sportsstuff has been unable to determine the cause of the incidents.

Description

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."

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the kite tubes and discard them. The firm is no longer in business. Remedy and contact information are no longer available.

Contact

The firm is out of business. Consumers should call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).

Product

Wego Kite Tube

Imported by

Sportsstuff, Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska

Retailers

Marine distributors, mail order catalogs, and various retailers from approximately October 1, 2005 to July 11, 2006 for about $500 to $600.

Made in

China

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Official recall notice on cpsc.gov →