An Unfortunate Encounter With A Stingray

Friday, 13 February 2009, 3:03 pm
Press Release: Waikato District Health Board

An Unfortunate Encounter With A Stingray

A 42-year-old UK-based South African holidaying in New Zealand had an unfortunate encounter with a stingray at Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel Peninsula today. The keen fisherman was staying with his family at a local camping ground and left early this morning to try his luck fishing from the beach.

When he hooked the 12 kg stingray, he fought for about 45 minutes and then reeled it back to shore. As he went to pull the ray out of the water, it spiked him in the right arm and escaped. The man, who did not want his name released, covered the wound with insulation tape to stop the bleeding, packed up his fishing gear and went back to camp where it was bandaged again.

It was then that the motor camp proprietor suggested it was worth phoning St John Ambulance as there was concern the spike may have pierced an artery or even given him an infection. St John took the man to Thames Hospital where he was treated and discharged 30 minutes ago. His son, who lives in Napier, and the man's English father - a keen footballer - were having him on saying "Stingray 1 Leeds 0" but the man conceded he didn't care anyway because he was a rugby fan.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Waikato District Health Board

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Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.

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