Child attacked by suspected Pike in Umeå Lake
Umeå, Sweden – A family’s regular summer tradition took a frightening turn on Monday when an 8-year-old boy was attacked by what is believed to be a pike while swimming in a lake near Umeå. The incident has left the family shaken and reconsidering their aquatic activities.
Jenny Johansson,34,described the lake as a familiar spot where her family has swum for many years,including with her children. However, this particular outing ended abruptly when her son, Rikard, was attacked in the water.
According to Jenny, Rikard was swimming with his older sibling and a friend when a scream was heard. A woman nearby alerted Jenny to the situation, reporting a significant amount of blood and wounds on Rikard. Jenny’s husband rushed to his son’s side,noting the severity of the bleeding.
Initially, Jenny suspected Rikard had stepped on something sharp. However,upon closer inspection,she discovered distinct tooth marks and tears on his foot,indicating an animal attack.
The family instantly sought medical attention at a health centre in Umeå.While the larger wound required stitches, a simpler method of gluing the most severe laceration was attempted due to Rikard’s distress. This proved temporary, as the glue came undone a few hours later, necessitating another visit to a medical facility where taping was used to close the wound.
The experience has significantly impacted Rikard, who has described the past few days as difficult. He has expressed a preference for swimming in pools in the future, stating that he will not be swimming in lakes or the sea. Jenny admitted that while she previously had a fear of fish, this incident has altered her viewpoint, though she acknowledges it will take time to rebuild confidence for future swims.