A shark bit a 17-year-old in the Gulf of Mexico south of Galveston. The teen’s father applied a tourniquet before the Coast Guard transported him to shore after the boat lost power.
A 17-year-old boy was rescued and transported to a hospital after being bitten by a shark in the Gulf of Mexico south of Galveston, with officials crediting his father’s quick actions for helping stabilize the situation.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it was notified around 3:30 p.m. that a fishing boat was heading back to shore with an injured teenager who had been bitten approximately two hours earlier.
According to Coast Guard Petty Officer Perry Shirzad, the boy’s father applied a tourniquet to control bleeding shortly after the incident. Responders later applied a second tourniquet once they reached the vessel.
“The father applied a tourniquet and the Coast Guard applied a second tourniquet,” Shirzad told KFDM.
The situation became more urgent when the fishing boat lost power before reaching shore. Both the Coast Guard and Galveston Island Beach Patrol responded to assist.
Authorities said the Coast Guard ultimately transported the teen back to land, where he was taken to a hospital for further treatment. Officials reported the teen was conscious and alert during the rescue.
Details about how the shark bite occurred remain unclear, including how far offshore the boat was at the time of the incident. No additional injuries were reported.
Officials have not released the identity of the teen and said the incident remains under review.
The rescue shows how important immediate first aid is in marine emergencies, especially in remote areas where response times may be extended.
