Island of Hilton Head, S.C.According to local emergency personnel, a 12-year-old girl was taken to a hospital in Savannah on Tuesday after being bitten by a shark while swimming close to Hilton Head Island’s Sea Pines neighborhood.
According to Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, the toddler had lacerations that were consistent with a shark bite. Before the youngster was transported for treatment, a first responder was heard on dispatch audio that CBS News was able to get reporting that she had lost a significant amount of blood.
Immediate Response and Medical Care
Before setting up an airlift to Savannah, Georgia, Shore Beach Services and Fire Rescue personnel administered first aid on the spot. The girl is expected to recover from her critical but non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.
This is the second time in less than a week that a child has been bitten by a shark. Leah Lendel, age nine, almost lost her hand after getting bitten on June 11 while snorkeling close to Boca Grande, Florida. She was operated on extensively at Tampa General Hospital.
Rare but Alarming Incidents
Although the attacks have made beachgoers uneasy, experts stress that unprovoked shark bites are still uncommon. Of the 71 shark bites that were confirmed globally in 2024, 47 were unprovoked, according to experts with the International Shark Attack File. Of those, four were lethal.
For families beginning their summer vacations, the back-to-back attacks are a little unsettling, Hilton Head Visitor Naomi Vereb told WTOC.
Safety Awareness for Summer Visitors
Because sharks are less likely to approach bigger groups of humans, officials advise swimmers to stay in groups, be alert, and refrain from wearing bright jewelry in the water. Beach patrols and lifeguards are on high alert as the tourist season gets underway.
Have you ever been swimming when you came into close contact with aquatic life? Participate in the discussion at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com and leave a comment about your experience.
