Key Point Summary โ Whale boat incident
- A minke whale was seen thrashing near Barnegat Bay, NJ on Sunday.
- The whale struck a small boat, knocking a woman into the water.
- The woman was rescued unharmed, but the whale later died.
- Witnesses say the whale appeared frantic and disoriented.
- The incident was captured on video and sparked safety concerns.
Frightened Whale Flips Boat, Sends Passenger Flying
A heart-stopping scene unfolded off the Jersey Shore when a distressed minke whale slammed into a small motorboat, tipping it and hurling a woman into the choppy waters. The shocking encounter happened Sunday in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, and was captured on video by stunned onlookers.
The whale had already been thrashing near the surface, visibly panicked, as it flailed in the shallows. As the boat approached, the creatureโs agitation intensified. In a sudden surge, the whale ended up underneath the hull โ and within seconds, the vessel tipped and a woman was thrown into the sea.
She was pulled out quickly and wasnโt hurt, but the incident left witnesses shaken.
Eyewitness: โIt Was Really In Distressโ
Kim Mancini, who filmed the entire ordeal, described the whaleโs behavior as deeply erratic. โIt was really in distress,โ she told 6abc. โThatโs when it would go under boats โ it was a crazy experience.โ
She said the animal looked like it was trying to escape to shallower water but couldnโt get its bearings. Despite its powerful thrashing and desperate movements, the whale eventually succumbed.
Officials later confirmed that the minke had died.
Concerns Raised Over Human-Wildlife Interaction
The frightening encounter is now raising alarms about how close boaters are getting to vulnerable marine life. Marine experts say whales in distress may act unpredictably โ and humans often misread the signs.
The minke whaleโs fatal outcome has prompted calls for more marine patrols and better public education about how to handle whale sightings near shore.
Meanwhile, the woman tossed from the boat is said to be recovering โ grateful sheโs okay, but haunted by the unforgettable moment when a whaleโs panic turned into tragedy.
