Stingray Stabs Diver In Stomach

[mrmoshe]

Stingray stabs diver in stomach

A diver attacked by a stingray off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island has been admitted to hospital with a serious stomach wound.

Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter spokesman Dean Herrick said the man, in his 40s, was diving off the coast of Porongahu, about 40 kilometres south of Waimarama, in Hawke's Bay this morning when he disturbed a couple of stingrays.

He was not far from the shore, Mr Herrick said.

The stingray's barb punctured the man's stomach just below the belly button, Mr Herrick said.

His diving companions brought him to shore and drove him to meet the rescue helicopter.

The friends had seen the stingray but details about exactly what happened were still unclear.

Mr Herrick was not sure if the diver was wearing a wetsuit when it happened, but said the man had suffered a reasonably serious injury.

"He was in a lot of pain," he said.

The man was airlifted to Hawke's Bay Hospital in a stable condition.

[james1990]

OUCH that would have to hurt.

When sting rays attack iv heard that they have a gland that release's a venom that diteriorates the tissue is that true?

cheers james