10/19/06 - In an incident eerily similar to the freak attack by a stingray that
killed famous crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, an 82-year-old man was
attacked by a stingray while cruising on his boat on the Intracoastal
Waterway in Lighthouse Point.
James Bertakis was minding his own business when the stingray
jumped out of the water and landed on his boat. When he tried to remove
the thrashing stingray from the deck and put it back into the water, it left a
foot-long barb in his chest.
Bertakis was treated at Broward General Hospital and underwent
surgery. The barb was removed and he is now in recovery.
A 3-foot spotted eagle ray (pictured) found near the scene is believed to
be the culprit.
Floridians
and wannabees
