A LITTLE boy is recovering after he was mauled by a blacktip shark during a family snorkeling trip.
The 8-year-old boy was attacked by the beast off the Florida coast while his 10-year-old sister watched on in horror on Labor Day.
Richard Burrows, 8, was bitten by a shark in Key Largo, Florida, on Labor Day[/caption]
The boy was attacked while snorkeling about four miles off the coast of Key Largo in Florida (stock image)[/caption]
The blacktip shark rushed Richard Burrows, his sister Rose, and his dad, David, as they snorkeled at Horseshoe Reef, about four miles off Key Largo, at around 3 pm on September 1.
Richard was bitten above his right knee and on his arm, leaving him gushing blood in the water as his dad and sister scrambled to help.
David quickly applied a tourniquet to Richard’s leg to stop the bleeding, which doctors later said helped to save his life.
A good Samaritan stopped his boat to help the family and applied a second tourniquet, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.
“He lost a lot of blood, and he would have lost a lot more if somebody that wasn’t there to quickly apply a tourniquet,” Lt. Col. Vince Nelson said, ABC affiliate WFTV reported.
Rose is heard taking instructions from their dad to hold up her brother’s leg to help stop the bleeding in 911 calls obtained by the Miami Herald.
“Richard’s 10-year-old sister, Rose, was instrumental in her brother’s rescue and both of her parents are immensely proud of the strength of character and composure she demonstrated under pressure,” the family’s statement said.
Once they got to shore, Richard was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
He was then rushed into emergency surgery to save his leg, where he stayed under the knife for hours on Monday night.
Now, Richard is back home and recovering from the terrifying attack.
“Richard is recovering well from his surgery and is gaining strength by the day,” the family’s statement said, the Herald reported.
“He is in good spirits. Our hope is that he will be back enjoying his passion for the ocean and marine life with his older sister in no time.”
Blacktip sharks are common in Florida waters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
They’re named for their recognizable black fins and can measure more than 6 feet long.
Safety Tips to Stay Shark-Savvy
- Avoid schools of fish as it is a common shark food spot, steer clear if you spot them.
- Don’t enter the water if you’re bleeding, even minor cuts can attract sharks.
- Avoid peak feeding times, limit swimming near dawn, dusk, and at night.
- Do not swim where fishing is happening, these areas can draw sharks.
- Swim in groups, not alone, sharks are less likely to approach groups.
- Leave shiny jewelry and high-contrast swimwear behind, avoid reflecting light as it could mimic fish scales.
The attack is just the latest in a series of shark encounters this summer.
SHARK ATTACKS
In another terrifying scene over Labor Day Weekend, an 8-year-old girl named Harper Ochoa was attacked by a shark in shallow waters.
Harper was enjoying a family trip to the Texas coast when a shark clamped down on her leg, ripping off a chunk of skin below the calf.
Earlier this summer, a spearfisher named Chance Armand nearly had his foot ripped off by a bull shark near the Pensacola Pass.
Armand was seen grinning and posing with a bloody tourniquet on his leg in adrenaline-riddled pictures after the attack.
Spearfishers are encouraged to keep an eye out for sharks because struggling fish often attract the bloodthirsty creatures.
Blacktip sharks are common in southern Florida (stock image)[/caption]
