Recent Stingray Incidents

Ray pulls man to his death

Luke Rawalai, The Fiji Times,
Sunday, August 12, 2012

A 21-year-old man is dead after a tragic fishing trip on Friday.

The body of the Naweni farmer of Cakaudrove was found by his companion.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed the report yesterday, saying the deceased was found floating in Dromuninuku waters.

“The man had speared a stingray and went 60 feet under water with the stingray when the cord of the spear gun got tangled in a reef,” Ms Naisoro said.

“He was later found by his companion lying motionless and his body was taken to the Savusavu Hospital with the help of two workers from the China Railway First Group (Ltd).

“The deceased was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors at the Savusavu Hospital,” Ms Naisoro said.

She said a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the cause of death.

The diving mishap is the fifth case of its kind for the Northern Division in a period of two weeks.

Last week, the Department of Fisheries expressed concern over burn reports of divers.

The first four cases were reports from the province of Bua where two divers were airlifted to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. The other two were admitted to the Labasa Hospital. All were diving for beche-de-mer.

Divisional fisheries officer north Gerald Billings has warned diving companies to properly train their divers before sending them out to sea.

Source: The Fiji Times Online

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Whale Hunter Almost Killed By Stingray

YOHANES SEO
Monday, 06 August, 2012

Kupang: Daeng Ebang Mateus, 42, a whale hunter, locally known as a lamafa, from Lamalera village, Wulandoni district, Lembata regency, nearly died after being dragged by the stingray he had stabbed.

“Yes, one lamafa nearly died after being dragged by a sea stingray to the bottom of the sea,” said a relative, Michael Radjamuda Bataona, who was contacted by Tempo in late May.

The victim is undergoing intensive treatment at Lewoleba Hospital, Lembata regency, still in a coma from severe injuries to his legs and chest.

The victim and several Lamalera villagers had been hunting. Unfortunately for the lamafa, the rope and spear he used to stab the stingray with wrapped around his legs, dragging him to the bottom of the sea. “Thank God, he (Matthew) is still alive,” he said.

Lamarela community has long had an annual tradition of capturing whales. Whaling is usually done in May-October. Before they leave, they perform a traditional ritual. In addition to whales, the Lamalerans also catch stingrays and dolphins. “If no whales (baleo) pass by, the fishermen usually catch stingrays or dolphins,” he said.

Until now, victim is still in intensive care because it is still in a coma after suffering severe wounds in the legs and chest.

Source: TEMPO Interactive

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Colombia: tourist may have been killed by stingray

Posted on July 31, 2012

RCN.com reported that a tourist took a swim at Haynes Cay Islote Córdoba, Colombia, when he apparently had a heart attack.

As Luis Gonzalez Meza, 54, a native of Bogota, authorities identified the unfortunate visitor, who was bathing at Haynes Cay when he was struck by a heart attack.

However, some believe that his death occurred, after being stung by a stingray in the place holds the “tour de manta rays.”

Gonzalez Meza was immediately taken to a hospital, and after a procedure of resuscitation in the emergency room, was reported as deceased. After the autopsy process, Legal Medicine, will present the result to the possible causes of death.

Have died from the sting of a stingray, Mr. Luis González Meza become the second victim in this case, on that tour of recreation and observation, which shows the lack of guarantees and security for visitors.

Source: Latin America Current News & Events

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Dozens Stung By Stingrays At La Jolla Shores

Lifeguards Encourage Beachgoers To Do ‘Stingray Shuffle’ To Avoid Being Stung

July 28, 2012

SAN DIEGO — Dozens of people were stung by stingrays at La Jolla Shores on Saturday.

Lifeguards estimate by the end of the day, about 40 people will have been stung by stingrays at La Jolla Shores.

Cayden Correia was one of those who were stung. The little boy’s feet were under the water and he did not see the stingray lurking underneath.

“I was playing with my cousin and then the water wasn’t clear enough to see it, and I just stepped on it and it stung me for some reason,” he said.

After he was stung, Cayden’s mother helped him to the triage center at the lifeguard station. Lifeguards then put his bloody foot in a bucket of hot water, which eases the pain.

Lifeguards said there are usually more stings in the summer because that is when there are more people enjoying the beach.

They also say stings occur because it is easy for beachgoers to get distracted and not pay attention to where they are placing their feet. Beachgoers are encouraged to do the “stingray shuffle” to avoid being stung.

Lifeguards say stingrays are not trying to attack people. They say most of the time, stings occur when people unknowingly step on a stingray and its natural reaction is to sting.

Source: 10News.com

 

1 Comment

  1. Angel

    The first 2 accounts are hunting accidents. You hunt them and they somehow tried to defend themselves. I think it is fare deal.
    We talk a lot about sharks and other mamals. Actually rays of all kinds are in great danger as well. They are easier victims for fishing and they live relatively in shallow waters. All kinds of nets are deadly for them. And more humans tend to eat them than sharks. Very volnurable species.

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