Jumping sturgeon kills girl in boat

Lake City - A 5-year-old Florida girl riding in a boat has died after a sturgeon leaped from the Suwannee River and struck her.

Wildlife officials said Jaylon Rippy died after being struck on Thursday night. Her mother and 9-year-old brother were also injured and taken to a Gainesville hospital. Their condition was not known.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said this is the first fatality recorded from a sturgeon strike on the Suwannee River. Four people have been injured by jumping sturgeon this year.

The fish are known for leaping more than 2.13m above the water. They can grow up to 2.4m long and weigh up to 90kg and can cause serious injuries.