Whale Crash-Lands On Boat; Australian Teen Critically Injured

An Australian teenager has been critically injured after a whale crash-landed on their boat during a fishing trip on the Australian coast.

Nick Myhill, 18, and his step-father Matthew Price, 39, were in waters off Narooma, New South Wales Sunday when the whale jumped out of the water and landed on their boat. Both men got injured in the incident.

Price was able to send a distress call and managed to navigate back to a boat ramp despite water filling their damaged vessel, reported 7 News.

Myhill sustained a broken neck and several head injuries. He is currently in a coma in Canberra Hospital. His family said that the 18-year-old's future is uncertain.

Meanwhile, Price suffered from facial lacerations and a concussion. In a statement, the family said Price's quick action had saved Nick's life.

"We would like to thank the medical teams in both the South Coast and Canberra for their amazing work," Myhill's family said. "Nick is a strong young man, and he is fighting hard."

A GoFundMe page has already been set up to help the family with the medical bills. "At this stage, we don't know when he will wake up, or how this has affected his brain," Carmen Bartley, who started the fundraiser, said.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Price recalled some details of the shocking incident. "It [the whale] headbutted Nick front-on, smashing him hard and sending him flying to the back of the boat where he landed with great force on the back of his head," he said. "It happened so fast, there was this huge black shadow that flew out of the water from what felt like nowhere, we must have spooked it."

"There was a big loud crash, it was like a giant truck struck us side-on," Price added.

The incident is being investigated.

"In recent days, the number of whales migrating north has dramatically increased, and maritime authorities have received reports they're travelling closer to the coast than in previous years," Marine Area Commander Superintendent Joe McNulty said as per 7 News.

"Given the close proximity to the shoreline, there is potential for some spectacular whale watching, but we encourage anyone hoping to get a closer look to maintain a safe distance," McNulty said further.