A woman in Florida is facing reconstructive surgery after a massive Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) leapt out of the water and smashed itself against her head.
Marcia and John Miller were taking their daughter April, 31, out on a recreational boat ride down the Suwanee River earlier this month, when a sturgeon, estimated to be 120cm/4' long, leapt from the water and slammed April’s head against the boat windshield.
The force of the impact broke multiple bones in her face and jaw, cracked an eye socket and rendered her unconscious.
“I thought there was water going everywhere but it was really pieces of glass,” said her father.
April was rushed to a hospital in Gainesville, where she now faces reconstructive surgery. Remembering nothing of her ordeal, she said, “I didn't know what happened. My first thought was a car hit me. My last memory was dry land, I didn't remember being on a boat.”
Gulf sturgeon can reach up to 8’ in length and weigh 200 lbs, giving them the potential to cause considerable injuries to boaters.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there have been 11 reports of leaping sturgeons hitting humans. Eight of these strikes resulted injuries to people.
The Millers are planning to be better prepared the next time they go boating. "I told April I'd take a baseball bat and next time I'd bat him out," Marcia laughed.
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