Flying fish knocks paddler from Mo. river race

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A fish out of water has sent a Texas kayaker onto dry land instead of the finish line at an annual Missouri River endurance race.

Houston resident Brad Pennington was considered one of the favorites among men’s solo racers in the Missouri River 340, a canoe and kayak race that began Tuesday morning in Kansas City, Kan.

That was until a 30-pound Asian silver carp jumped from the water and hit him in the head. The fish are known to panic and jump in response to passing vessels.

Pennington says when the fish hit him, it felt like “a brick.” He said Wednesday that he had to withdraw just hours into the race because of a “pounding, pounding headache.”

A nurse suggested further medical treatment, but he declined.