Stingray attack has man fighting for his life

(10/19/06 - LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL) - An 81-year-old boater was in critical condition Thursday after a stingray flopped onto his boat and stung him, leaving a foot-long barb in his chest, authorities said.


James Bertakis of Lighthouse Point was on the water with his granddaughter and a friend Wednesday when the stingray flopped onto the boat and stung Bertakis. The women steered the boat to shore and called 911.

"It was a freak accident," said Lighthouse Point acting fire Chief David Donzella. "It's very odd that the thing jumped out of the water and stung him. We still can't believe it."

"Something like this is really, really extraordinarily rare,"

You think...? I'm afraid to go fishing at this point... What are the odds?

The rest can be read here... ABC13