SPEARED BY FISH

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1929, Page 3

SPEARED BY FISH

A remarkable case

SUVA, August 20.

One hears from time to timo about vessels being speared by swordfish but to tell how a human being has been speared by a small fish and died as a result reads like a fairy tale Yet this has happened in Fiji. A year or two ago a native Fijian woman was fishing / in aibout three feet of water. Suddenly a small fish resembling a garfish, named a “busa,” rushed at her, its long sharp jawbone penetrating Her side and going deeply between two ribs. She died shortly after from the wound. A year ago Miss Diana Blakelook, while visiting the town of Sanima, on the large island of Kandavu, was fishing with other girls with a hand net. Suddenly, like a streak of lightning, a 'busa bit her on the arm. r lhe wound Was sore and gave a great deal of trouble. After many remedies native leaves were applied and the wound healed. Last week, howover, the wound becaniie inflamed and very painful. Yesterday Miss Blakeloclc was induced to go to the hospital. when the native assistant lanced the sore and extracted a piece cf fish, which turned out to be the spear and jawbone’of the busa. It measured 2.V inches long by one-sixth inch wide. It had remained ip the arm for twelve months.

The busa is much larger than a garfish and attacks by flying on the top of the water at great speed.