Florida – A 13-year-old girl, Ella Reed, reported that she was repeatedly bitten by a bull shark last week as she was in the ocean with a friend near her South Florida residence. The attack, which took place at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park in St. Lucie County, left Reed with injuries on her stomach, arm, and leg, necessitating stitches.
Reed informed WPTV that the incident occurred in the shallow waters near the shore where waves break. Describing her injuries, she acknowledged that the situation could have been much worse had the shark bitten down with greater force.
Recounting the Terrifying Encounter
Reed recounted how the shark, which she estimates to have been at least four feet long, bypassed her friend and directly attacked her. “It went under her and went straight to me and got my stomach first, and I tried blocking it with my arm and my hand…it swooped around and got my leg again,” she said. Reed attributed the lack of immediate pain to the adrenaline rush she experienced.
Shocked by the event, Reed immediately exited the water and hurried home to inform her mother. At first, her mother, Devin Reed, thought it was a practical joke.
Florida girl, 13, suffers injuries to stomach, limbs during bull shark attack: ‘Pretty scary’ https://t.co/NEP1iav92Y
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 16, 2024
Rushed to the Hospital Following the Attack
Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, Reed’s parents rushed her to a nearby St. Lucie County fire station, and firefighters promptly transported her to the hospital.
Devin Reed mentioned that her family, residents of the North Hutchinson Island Community for over two decades, never previously feared a shark attack. She expressed relief that Ella was alright after the harrowing incident, describing the experience as “surreal.”
Resilient Teenager with Newfound Respect for the Ocean
While acknowledging the attack as frightening, Ella stated it would not deter her from entering the water again after her stitches are removed. She now has a deeper respect for the ocean and its inhabitants.
Florida is a home to a diverse wildlife and you should keep that in mind when swimming in the deep ocean or exploring the wild.
Source:
- https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-girl-13-suffers-injuries-stomach-limbs-during-bull-shark-attack-pretty-scary
