The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·06210·Announced 2006-07-13

Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tubes Withdrawn Due to Reported Deaths and Injuries

Sportsstuff withdrew Wego Kite Tubes after reports of two deaths and 39 injury incidents, including a broken neck and punctured lung.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly reports two deaths, which mandates a Critical severity score of 5 according to the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Sportsstuff, Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska, has withdrawn the Wego Kite Tube from the market following reports of two deaths and 39 injury incidents in the United States. The product is a 10-foot-wide, circular, yellow inflatable watercraft designed to be towed behind a power boat. Approximately 19,000 units were sold between October 1, 2005, and July 11, 2006, for about $500 to $600 through marine distributors, mail order catalogs, and various retailers.

The hazard involves a rider becoming airborne by pulling on handles attached to the floor of the tube, which can result in serious injuries. CPSC staff is aware of 39 injury incidents, 29 of which resulted in medical treatment. Reported injuries include a broken neck, punctured lung, chest and back injuries, and facial injuries. Sportsstuff has been unable to determine the cause of the incidents.

Consumers should immediately stop using the kite tubes and discard them. The firm is no longer in business, so no remedy or contact information is available from the manufacturer. Consumers with questions should call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).

The recalled product

Product
Wego Kite Tube
Manufacturer
Sportsstuff, Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska
Category
Consumer Product — Water Sports Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
19,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fall injury

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