The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Suwannee River The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Suwannee River
Showing posts with label Suwannee River. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suwannee River. Show all posts

Sunday, July 12, 2015

A 5-Year-Old Girl Has Been Killed by a Jumping Sturgeon Fish Which Leaped Onto Her Family's Boat


Jayln Rippy was travelling along the Suwannee River near Gainesville, Florida, on Thursday when she was struck by the fish.

Her mother Tanya Faye, 31, and nine-year-old brother Trevor were also injured during the horrifying incident.

They were airlifted to hospital and treated for facial injuries that will need surgery.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it was the first death caused by a sturgeon this year, while four people have been injured.

Two other people, Colleen Harvey, 42, and her husband Charles, 41, were also hurt by jumping sturgeons Friday while boating on the nearby Santa Fe River, WTSP reported.

Maj. Andy Krause, FWC regional commander in Lake City, said: 'With the low water levels in the river system, the sturgeon are jumping much more frequently than in recent years.

'We want everyone boating on the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers to be aware that the sturgeon are jumping and that people have been injured.'

A GoFundMe page http://www.gofundme.com/yhf7v4  was set up to help the family cover funeral and expenses costs.

The description read: 'The Rippy family was involved in an accident on Thursday, July 2, 2015 where a sturgeon collided with their boat.

'Their precious baby Jayln became an angel early July 3, 2015. Tanya and Trevor will both have to see specialist and face possible surgeries.

'This family will also face the cost of the funeral. Please donate what you can and continue to keep them in your prayers more than everything!'

As of Saturday afternoon, they had raised $7,930.

The fish are known for leaping more than seven feet above the water.

They can grow up to eight feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds and can cause serious injuries.






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