A 55 year old Michigan woman was on a Florida boat with her family when an eagle ray jumped out of the water and struck her.  Reports indicated the woman fell backwards, striking her head, which caused a severe head trauma and her death.

Early reports on this developing story indicated that the Eagle Ray’s defensive barb was lodged into the woman’s neck.  However, these reports are unfounded.

The woman, whose name has not been released, apparently died before help could arrive.  Other occupants of the boat include her mother, father, and sister.

According to experts, it is quite natural for eagle ray’s to launch themselves out of the water.  They do so to flee a predator or to dislodge parasites.  It’s not clear whether the boat could have startled the eagle ray and caused it to go airborne.