GOLD COAST, Australia – An Australian fisherman spent a night in the hospital after he was slapped by a whale’s tail while on the waters near the Queensland-New South Wales border. According to the Australian Broadcast Company, the man was brought to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition following the incident.
The man was reportedly fishing on a small aluminum boat (a “tinny”) with a friend when the whale tail appeared, slapping the man across the face and leaving him with apparent injuries to the left side of his face and spine. Volunteers Marine Rescue, water police and paramedics brought the man to shore.
Scott Brown of the Queensland Ambulance Service explained this was the first time he’d encountered such an incident.
“Just two guys having a morning fish, and then all of a sudden, a whale’s tail appeared, striking one in the head.”
“We’ve had boats come in contact with whales before, but not actually a person sitting in a boat.”
“You have a little bit of disbelief that it happened at first, but respond nonetheless, and when we got there, that’s what we found had happened.” – Scott Brown
According to Brown, the man could not remember the event when he woke up. Favorable weather conditions lead to an increase in boats on the water during whale season. Boaters are urged to be cautious that there are lots of the large animals in the area.