A pleasant family outing at the beach turned into a distressing situation when a young boy was attacked by a shark.
Richard Burrows, accompanied by his father, David Burrows, 48, and his 10-year-old sister, Rose Burrows, was snorkeling near Horseshoe Reef, about four miles off Key Largo close to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park when the incident occurred.
The young boy sustained a significant knee injury from the shark bite. His father quickly applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding before Richard was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in Miami in critical condition.
Following surgery on Monday night, Richard’s leg was saved, as confirmed by Sheriff Rick Ramsay. The family provided an update stating that although the initial injury was severe, it was successfully contained with the help of several individuals.
Rose, Richard’s sister, played a crucial role in his rescue, displaying remarkable strength and composure under pressure, which made her parents immensely proud. Richard’s recovery is progressing well after the surgery, with increasing strength each day and a positive outlook. The family hopes that he will soon be back enjoying his love for the ocean and marine life with his older sister.
Florida is known as a hotspot for shark encounters globally. In the previous year, the state recorded 14 shark bites, accounting for half of all cases in the US and nearly a third of incidents worldwide, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Authorities have not yet identified the species responsible for the recent shark attack, leaving the boy fighting for survival.
Efforts to gather more information have been initiated by The Mirror, contacting Monroe Police, the US Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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