Addison Bethea, 17, was hunting for scallops off the coast of Keaton Beach when a shark wrapped its jaws around her thigh. The shark was aggressive and attacked her several times, with Addison pushing and punching it in the eyes before her brother separated it and pulled her into a stranger’s boat. Her brother, Rhett Willingham – who is a firefighter and EMS technician – then applied a tourniquet to her leg to stop the blood loss. Ms. Bethea suffered “severe injuries” in the attack and had to be airlifted to the trauma and emergency center at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), about 70 miles from the beach. Officials said the species of shark is unknown. Doctors told her family members that her leg suffered extensive damage in the attack, with TMH describing it as “catastrophic soft tissue damage to her right leg”. Trauma specialists were able to stabilize her before the hospital’s trauma surgeon performed emergency surgery to restore blood flow to her leg. Ms Bethea is expected to undergo a second surgery on Saturday “to further investigate the extent of the damage to her leg and to determine what treatment options are available with the aim of saving her leg”, TMH said. “Addison has a long journey to recovery, but she was in good spirits today, surrounded by her family in Tallahassee Memorial’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. “Addison’s family would like to thank their Taylor County community and all who have reached out with their prayers and support during this difficult time,” the hospital added.
