A 13-year-old boy suffered severe injuries after being bitten on the thigh by a shark while fishing from a boat off the coast of Georgia. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon near Ossabaw Island, approximately 20 miles south of Savannah, in McIntosh County.
Attack Details
According to witnesses, the boy had caught a shark and was attempting to unhook it when the animal mauled him. The shark was estimated to be up to six feet long. The boat was quickly brought to shore, where people rushed to assist the victim before emergency services arrived.
Emergency Response
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the teenager was transferred to a local hospital for treatment. The extent of his injuries has not been publicly detailed, but witnesses described the bite as serious.
Context and Safety
Shark attacks are rare in Georgia waters, but incidents can occur when fishermen handle sharks. Authorities advise caution when releasing caught sharks to minimize risk.
