On Tuesday, July 16 a local Port Edward paddle-skier was stung on the arm by a stingray while fishing off his paddle-ski. The NSRI were alerted to the man, who was located off Anties Bay and was struggling to paddle.
According to an NSRI release, the man, 72, was 600 meters off-shore at the Mpenjati River Mouth when the incident happened. He was unable to continue paddling due to the pain and paralysis caused by the sting.
The NSRI Port Edward duty crew launched their sea rescue craft, Rescue Runner, and brought the man to the Glenmore Ski-Boat Club where Med-Evac paramedics were standing by.
He was treated by the paramedics and transported to hospital in a stable condition, and is expected to make a full recovery.
According to the Two Oceans Aquarium, blue stingrays are only found in southern Africa, from central Angola to St Lucia. These animals only live inshore and are often caught in surf zones along sandy beaches and estuaries.
Image: Unsplash
