Originally Posted by REßEL

From what I understand of these kinds of wounds it's actually the yanking it out that killed him.

If you're stabbed/impaled the object doing the stabbing/impaling is actually "filling" the hole it created. Pulling it out leaves the hole and allows the internal bleeding to start. First aiders are taught to leave the foreign body intact and allow the surgeons to remove it (because they're inside ready to sew the hole up quickly when they remove the object)

Lesson for all.. if you're ever stabbed in the heart by a sting ray, chop it's barb off but leave it in your chest and seek medical attention.