A five year old girl has been killed by a sturgeon who jumped into her boat and fatally struck her and seriously injured her mother and brother in north Florida.
Jayln Rippy lost her life on Thursday following the tragedy on the Suwannee River in Florida . Her Brother and mother were airlifted to hospital. Local wildlife officials described their injuries as serious.
The Independent reports:
Sturgeon fish can grow up to 8ft long and weigh as much as 200lbs. They are known for leaping about water and can cause serious injuries.
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told local press that four people have been injured by jumping sturgeons so far this year and that this is the first known fatality.
A fundraising page has been set up in tribute to the little girl and to try and collect money to cover funeral and medical costs. Family friend Sunny Prevatt Baynard asked for people to keep the family in their prayers, she wrote: “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[s] and face possible surgeries.”
