Stingray kills Michigan woman in Florida Keys

Associated Press - March 20, 2008 12:44 PM ET

MARATHON, Fla. (AP) - Officials say a Michigan woman died after a
stingray jumped out of the water and struck her in the upper body in the
Florida Keys.

Wildlife officials say the spotted eagle ray hit the 55-year-old woman
in the face or neck while she was in a boat with her family Thursday.
Her name and hometown aren't being released yet.

Officials say it's not clear whether the animal's barb struck her, or if
the impact killed her. It's also not clear how big it was.

Spotted eagle rays can grow up to 17 feet in length, weigh up to 500
pounds and have a wingspan of up to 10 feet.

They are known to occasionally jump out of the water but are not
aggressive and use the venomous tip at the end of their tail as a
defense mechanism.

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