Father ‘nearly dies’ after stingray attack in Florida
A father ‘nearly died’ from a flesh-eating bacteria after being attacked by a stingray while on holiday in Florida.
Michael Yarwood, 42, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, was stabbed by the creature’s poisonous barb while swimming in the sea near St Petersburg with his two children.
After his foot swelled to double its normal size and he started shaking uncontrollably, doctors told him he had contracted a potentially deadly flesh-eating bacteria.
However, after five days in hospital on an IV drip, Michael recovered and was able to travel home, though he still needs a stick to walk.
State health department officials have said that 31 people across Florida have been infected this year by this potentially deadly, yet common bacteria that lives in salt water – and 10 of those people have died.
The £5,000 holiday had been a treat for son Callum ahead of his 18th birthday, and they had driven out from their Bahama Bay resort to North Beach as it is regarded as the most beautiful in the US.
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt