Stingrays are common in Australia waters, the Whitsunday area, and the Great Barrier Reef. I mention this just a few days after the RACQ-CQ Rescue helicopter had to airlift two stingray victims to Mackay Base Hospital. A 43 year old Hamilton Island man was stung, and suffered severe chest pains. In a separate accident, a 24 year old Hamilton Island man was stung on the foot at Long island (on Sunday 6 April 2008).

Many wildlife warriors would be aware of the tragic early death of animal activist and Australia Zoo showman Steve Irwin, after being stung in the chest by a stingray.

Death by stingray is not just something Steve Irwin encountered. At Hayman Island in the Whitsundays, visible from Airlie Beach, a 47 year old American tourist was stung by a stingray, while he was walking along a beach around noon on Tuesday 5 August 2008. He was airlifted by rescue helicopter to Mackay Base Hospital, where he recovered.