Florida girl, 5, killed by jumping sturgeon

A five-year-old Florida girl was killed after the boat she was in collided with a jumping sturgeon.

The Rippy family was on the Suwannee River Thursday when the collision occurred. Jayln Rippy succumbed to her injuries the next day.

The Associated Press has reported that the sturgeon leaped into the boat, and the girl died after being struck. The girl’s mother and brother were also injured and both may need to undero surgery.

A GoFundMe page, titled Waylon and Tanya Rippy Family, has been set up for the family to help cover the cost of Jayln’s funeral and ongoing medical costs for the family.

“Their precious baby Jayln became an angel early July 3, 2015,” reads the fundraising page.

“Tanya and Trevor will both have to see specialist and face possible surgeries. This family will also face the cost of the funeral.  Please donate what you can and continue to keep them in your prayers more than everything!”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Their precious baby Jayln became an angel early July 3, 2015," reads the fundraising page.</p><p>"Tanya and Trevor will both have to see specialist and face possible surgeries. This family will also face the cost of the funeral.  Please donate what you can and continue to keep them in your prayers more than everything!"

The page has collected more than $7,000 in one day.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said this is the first fatality recorded from a sturgeon strike on the Suwannee River. Four people have been injured by jumping sturgeon this year.

Sturgeons are massive fish that can live for more than 100 years and grow to be hundreds of kilograms in weight.

With a file from The Associated Press