68-year-old woman flown to hospital after stingray attack on the Yorke Peninsula

A woman is lucky to be alive after she was stung by a “usually placid” stingray off the coast of SA – the latest in a string of strange events in our seas.

A retired nurse says she feared she might die after being speared by a stingray’s barb during a snorkelling trip off the Yorke Peninsula.

“I’m very lucky … I could’ve been struck anywhere,” Pam Bennett, of Minlaton, said on Monday.

The 68-year-old was taking part in a marine-life survey near the southern coastline on Friday when she was speared near her elbow by a 16cm barb.

“It was right near the brachial artery … so close, it was almost fatal,” she said.

Pam Bennett, 68, was left with an Eagle Ray barb stuck in her arm after it pierced her wetsuit on the Yorke Peninsula.

The Eagle Ray barb that pierced Pam Bennett’s arm measured more than 15cm long. Picture Supplied

Marine biologist Dr Mike Bossley, who was leading the survey Ms Bennett was taking part in, said eagle rays are normally considered shy and placid.

But on Friday, he said they attacked the group as they entered the water.

“I’ve snorkelled and dived with eagle rays dozens of times over the years, and never experienced behaviour like this,” Dr Bossley said.

The attack follows sharks washing up on beaches near Ardrossan and at Henley Beach South.

Meanwhile, about 50 sick and dying kangaroos had to be euthanised on the Fleurieu coastline after a toxic algal bloom forced the closure of many popular beaches nearby.

An investigation has since been launched.

Dr Bossley said the group’s survey revealed a trail of destruction from Port Vincent to Marion Bay, where thousands of dead and dying fish, sharks and rays were found – many believed to be in the final stages of life.

A dead Eagle Ray was found washed up on the same beach on the Yorke Peninsula on Monday morning. Picture Supplied

He said the algal bloom was to blame – and warm and still conditions forecast, he predicted the situation would worsen.

“It seems the algal bloom has caused such severe distress that it has changed their behaviour completely,” he said.

“I have been diving on the southern Yorke Peninsula for almost 50 years, and this is by far the most severe situation I have seen.

“If anyone doubts the impact of climate change, they should drive to one of the beaches down there and take a look.”

Retired nurse Pam Bennett, 68, of Minlaton, is helped out of her wetsuit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital after she was stung by a sting ray on the Yorke Peninsula

Ms Bennett said the group had noticed unusual activity before the incident.

“There were lots of sharks and rays about,” she said.

“We noticed there were more of them than usual and they were very active … they might be struggling to breathe.”

She believes the ray may have mistaken her for a threat.

“We come over like a dark shadow in its territory … so it defended itself like I think anything would when threatened.”

She was flown to Adelaide for emergency surgery and praised the swift response from medical staff.

“I was blown away by everyone at the RAH … all the people of Yorke Town were absolutely brilliant.”

Ms Bennett said she would return to the water – but not until the bloom had passed.

“I won’t be going out again until this algal bloom is over … the marine life is not acting normal,” she said.

“After that I’ll probably go out again.”

Originally published as 68-year-old woman flown to hospital after stingray attack on the Yorke Peninsula