Lots of folks get injured by these jumping fish, but it's rare for a fatality to occur. I often boat on the Suwannee River, in that area.
link to story A 5-year-old Trenton girl died Thursday night after a sturgeon leaped into her boat along the Suwannee River and struck her and family members.
Wildlife officials said Jaylon Rippy died after being struck Thursday night. Jaylon's mother, Tanya Rippy, 31, and 9-year-old brother Trevor were also injured and airlifted along with Jaylon to UF Health Shands Hospital.
The mom and brother's conditions were not known; Jaylon died either en route to Shands or after arriving at the hospital, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Jaylon's father was on the boat as well, but suffered no injuries.
The family was heading to Hart Springs when the incident happened near the Joe Anderson Boat Ramp in Fanning Springs at about 8:47 p.m. Thursday.
Many details are still under investigation, said Karen Parker, spokeswoman for the North Central Florida office of the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
