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Diving Pelican Leaves Swimmer in Stitches

Big bird after fish cuts sunbather's face

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2008 5:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – A swimmer in Florida needed 20 stitches to her face after a pelican diving for a fish slammed into her. The big bird died in the collision near Tampa. "It was like I got punched in the face, super hard. Blood was gushing out," said the Ohio housecleaner who was on vacation. It was the first known case of such an encounter, officials said. Pelicans weigh as much as 30 pounds and dive from heights of 70 feet.

bird's eye
bird's eye   ((c) BotheredByBees)
A Florida pelican slammed into a sunbather while diving for a fish.
A Florida pelican slammed into a sunbather while diving for a fish.   ((c) Pauly R.)
Pelicans can weigh as much as 30 pounds and dive from heights of 70 feet.
Pelicans can weigh as much as 30 pounds and dive from heights of 70 feet.   ((c) __Dori__)
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