Boy impaled by fish that jumped out of the water and into his neck

As reported by the Daily Mail, an Indonesian boy has undergone lifesaving surgery after being impaled in the neck by a flying needlefish on Saturday.

While fishing with his parents in the Buton waters off the South East Sulawesi province, Muhammad Idul was left seeking urgent medical attention when the flying needlefish jumped out of the sea, impaling the 16-year-old in the neck with its long and slender snout.

The injury was so severe, the fish actually pierced the back of Idul's skull.

The student was rushed to a local hospital, where he received surgery to remove the fish from his neck two days later. Monday's delicate two-hour operation required three surgeons and two anesthetists.

Images were later uploaded to the Facebook group Savage Paramedics, along with the caption: "Needfish to the neck [...] How would you handle this type of trauma when you first arrive on scene?

"This injury occurred when a needlefish jumped out of the water and pierced the neck of a boat passenger! Luckily this patient was rushed to a hospital, where the fish was removed during emergency surgery. The patient made a full recovery.

"Needlefish are adept jumpers, carnivorous, and distinguished by long, slender jaws equipped with sharp teeth. The largest needlefish ever recorded measured about 1.2 m (4 feet) long!"

Speaking to local news outlet Makassar Terkin, Dr Syafri K. Arif revealed that the teenager is recovering well and will remain in hospital in an effort to reduce infection risks.

Per Britannica, needlefish "are adept jumpers, carnivorous in habit, and distinguished by long, slender jaws equipped with sharp teeth."