October 19, 2006
Local 6
An 81-year-old man remains in critical condition Thursday, a day after a stingray jumped onto his boat and stabbed him in the chest, leaving a foot-long barb stuck in him, authorities said.
Photo: Stingray swims at the Audubon Aquarium, New Orleans. (AP)
James Bertakis, of Lighthouse Point in South Florida near Fort Lauderdale, was boating with his grown granddaughter and her friend when the rare attack occurred. The woman were able to steer the boat back to Bertakis' home where they called authorities.
The ray's foot-long barb was left in Bertakis' chest, the report said. When fire officials arrived, the barb was still in his chest.
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He was conscious and breathing but in extreme pain from the toxins, according to the report.
The ray was at least 3 feet wide, according to acting Chief David Donzella, a Lighthouse Point fire spokesman.
"It was a freak accident," said Donzella. "It's very odd that the thing jumped out of the water and stung him. We still can't believe it."
Last month "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin died when the stingray's barb punctured his heart. It was one of a handful of stingray fatalities ever recorded.
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