Sturgeon leaps from river, knocks Florida teen unconscious


Save Story

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

CHIEFLAND, Fla. (AP) — Florida wildlife authorities say a teenager was knocked unconscious by a sturgeon jumping from the Suwannee River.

It's the second strike involving that type of fish in two weeks on a north Florida river.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the sturgeon are jumping just as they have for millions of years. Occasionally Florida boaters get in their way.

Authorities say 14-year-old Heavyn Nash of Fanning Springs was boating with family Sunday in Manatee Springs State Park when a sturgeon up to 6-feet long leapt into the boat, knocking her out. She was treated at a hospital.

Another sturgeon crashed into a boat's windshield May 23 on the Santa Fe River.

Sturgeon can leap more than 7 feet out of the water. The protected fish average 40 pounds.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most recent U.S. stories

Related topics

The Associated Press
    KSL.com Beyond Series
    KSL.com Beyond Business

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button