Pelican slams into swimmer in Fla.
Last Modified: Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 5:46 p.m.
TREASURE ISLAND, Fla.- An Ohio woman is recovering after a pelican slammed into her face while she was swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.
Debbie Shoemaker of Toledo, Ohio, was swimming Thursday near Treasure Island, a beach community west of St. Petersburg, when she felt something hit her face.
The bird's large beak ripped through her cheek, requiring 25 stitches.
The 50-year-old housecleaner, who vacations in Florida about twice a year, returned home Friday.
Nature has collided with humans in Florida — alligators, fish and even stingrays have caused injuries or deaths — but local officials say they've never heard of a pelican hitting someone with so much force.
An expert surmises the bird was likely diving for fish and hit Shoemaker by accident. The pelican died.
___
Information from: The Tampa Tribune, http://www.tampatrib.com
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Events Calendar More Events Submit Event
- Baseball nabs 3rd seed at SECs
- Sorrow mixes with support at UF campus vigil
- Donovan among A-listers at Vitale event
- Gators blank UCF, advance to title game
- Solving shopping cart thefts
- Gainesville man arrested in soldier's death
- UF baseball earns spot in SECs
- Mayo scandal is only tip of iceberg
- Softball opens in grand fashion
- Huckabee quips about gun aimed at Obama at NRA event
Local Businesses
Add a Comment
Start or join a forum on this topic.