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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