US | sturgeon Flying Fish Kills Girl, 5, on Fla. River Jaylon Rippy was boating with her family By Polly Davis Doig Suggested by No-Left-Turn Posted Jul 5, 2015 7:00 AM CDT Copied A large sturgeon leaps from the water June 15, 2007 on the Suwannee River at Branford, Fla. These fish reach a length of 8 ft., weighing 200 lbs. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin) Florida's leaping sturgeon have occasionally proven more than a little hazardous to boaters on its Suwannee River, but the latest incident is as tragic as it is unprecedented: 5-year-old Jaylon Rippy was boating with her family late last week when a flying sturgeon—which can reach 8 feet and tip the scales at 200lbs.—hit her, killing her and injuring her mom and 9-year-old brother, Trevor, reports NBC News. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time," a rep with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tells the Suwannee Democrat Bulletin. "This is a terrible tragedy." Jaylon's is the first recorded death on the river caused by a sturgeon, though four people have been injured so far this year. Her family has set up a GoFundMe account. Read These Next Mark Zuckerberg's 'list' has Silicon Valley buzzing. Hall of Famer Dave Parker dies IAEA chief downplays damage to Iran nuclear sites. That 'buy now, pay later' loan may soon hit your credit score. Report an error