Brave 10-year-old sister helps stop bleeding after shark mauls boy, 8, in Florida waters
A family snorkeling trip on Labor Day turned into a fight for survival when an 8-year-old boy was mauled by a blacktip shark off the Florida coast, and it was his quick-thinking sister who helped save his life.
Horror at Horseshoe Reef
Richard Burrows was snorkeling with his father, David, and 10-year-old sister, Rose, near Horseshoe Reef off Key Largo when a blacktip shark suddenly struck around 3 p.m. on September 1.
The shark latched onto Richard’s right leg above the knee and also bit his arm, leaving him gushing blood in the water.
David immediately acted, applying a tourniquet on his son’s leg. A good Samaritan who stopped his boat to help added a second tourniquet. Doctors say the actions were crucial in saving Richard’s life.
“He lost a lot of blood, and he would have lost a lot more if somebody that wasn’t there to quickly apply a tourniquet,” Lt. Col. Vince Nelson told WFTV.
A Sister’s Courage
In chilling 911 audio obtained by the Miami Herald, Rose can be heard following her father’s instructions to hold her brother’s leg up to slow the bleeding.
The family later said in a statement: “Richard’s 10-year-old sister, Rose, was instrumental in her brother’s rescue, and both of her parents are immensely proud of the strength of character and composure she demonstrated under pressure.”
A Long Road to Recovery
Once back on shore, Richard was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he underwent hours of emergency surgery to save his leg.
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Miraculously, he is now recovering at home. “Richard is recovering well from his surgery and is gaining strength by the day,” the family said. “He is in good spirits. Our hope is that he will be back enjoying his passion for the ocean and marine life with his older sister in no time.”
A Summer of Shark Attacks
Blacktip sharks, common in Florida waters, can grow more than six feet long and are known for their sharp, fast strikes. Richard’s ordeal is just the latest in a string of shark encounters this summer:
Over the same weekend, 8-year-old Harper Ochoa was bitten while playing in shallow water on a Texas beach.
In Florida, 9-year-old Leah Lendel nearly lost her hand in a separate attack earlier this summer.
And near Pensacola Pass, spearfisher Chance Armand survived a brutal bull shark mauling that nearly tore off his foot.
For Richard Burrows, however, the focus now is healing — and returning to the ocean he loves, with the sister who helped save his life right by his side.