An 8-year-old boy is recovering after being bitten by a shark while snorkeling and spearfishing with his family off Horseshoe Reef in Key Largo on Monday afternoon. 

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident occurredwas around 3:30 p.m. The boy, his dad, and his sister had been loving the water when a shark appeared and suddenly bit the child above the knee, leaving him with a serious injury. 

A nearby boater who was sheering a dive vessel rushed to help aid the situation and the family, after noticing the emergency. He then helps to carry the family back to the Garden Cove Marina, where Key Largo firefighters were already waiting for him to assist the boy. Despite his injury, the boy remained alert and responsive. His sister took part in a key role in keeping him safe by applying pressure to the wound with a makeshift sling to slow the bleeding down until the medical crew could take over. 

Once the family arrived at the Marina, paramedics helped stabilize the boy before arranging for him to be airlifted to the nearest hospital. At the last check, doctors announced that his condition was stable and that he was expected to make a full recovery with the proper treatment. 

Despite the fact that shark bites are terrifying, experts emphasize that they remain rare events. Florida does lead the nation in reports with the most amount of shark attacks each year, but most incidents are minor and not life-threatening. As stated by the International Shark Attack File, Florida has documented almost 20 unprovoked shark attacks in 2023. The majority take place along the Atlantic coast in Volusia and Brevard counties. In contrast, the Florida Keys get little numbers of cases. However, hobbies like spearfishing can increase the possibility of an encounter, since the blood in the water may attract sharks that mistake people for prey. 

Most sharks in Florida waters are not viewed as aggressive towards humans, and death from a shark bite is extremely uncommon. Swimmers and snorkelers are encouraged to stay in groups, avoid murky water, and remain cautious when fishing or spearfishing near reefs. 

 Thanks to the quick action of his sister, the help from the boater nearby, and the immediate care of first responders, the young boy’s injuries were managed quickly, giving him the best chance for a full recovery.  

Students around my school who heard about the incident said it was both alarming and inspiring. “It’s scary to think about sharks, but it’s crazy how rare attacks actually are,” said Jahlia Marte (11). “The fact that his sister helped save him showed how it’s very important to stay calm in an emergency,” added Sofia Rivero. Their statement shows not only the surprising nature of shark run-ins, but also the fearless and quick ideas that can make all the difference in an accident.