Govind Tekale
An 8-year-old boy was bitten by a shark while snorkeling off Key Largo on September 1, 2025, at approximately 3:24 p.m. and was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon while the child was snorkeling oceanside off Key Largo. First responders reported the boy suffered significant blood loss, and tourniquets were applied before he was transported for emergency medical care.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission were notified of the incident. Key Largo firefighters initially described the animal as a reef shark; the family later identified it as a blacktip shark. FWC has not publicly issued a formal species confirmation.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident occurred at approximately 3:24 p.m. local time on Monday, with Trauma Star helicopter airlifting the child to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Public safety radio traffic captured in dispatch archives indicated responders reported a “significant amount of blood loss” and that tourniquets were applied. First responders met the family at Garden Cove Marina for transfer to the medevac helicopter.
The boy’s 10-year-old sister helped control bleeding immediately after the attack. A nearby dive vessel operated by Horizon Divers, with Captain Richard Hayden, provided critical assistance in getting the injured child to shore quickly.
The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) at the Florida Museum of Natural History maintains that Florida consistently records the highest number of unprovoked shark bites in the United States, though such incidents remain statistically rare compared to the millions of water recreational hours logged annually.
The boy underwent emergency surgery at Ryder Trauma Center. Jackson Memorial surgeons later described the wounds in detail, noting multiple deep lacerations (approximately 15-20 cuts) including wounds around the right knee and a bite to the shoulder. Doctors performed a washout of the knee joint and tendon repairs. The boy was discharged after a three-day hospital stay and will begin physical therapy.
Marine safety experts recommend several precautions when swimming or snorkeling in shark-inhabited waters:
- Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or night when sharks may be more active
- Stay in groups rather than swimming alone
- Avoid wearing shiny jewelry that may resemble fish scales in water
- Stay out of waters containing sewage or known to be used by fishermen
- Avoid excessive splashing and erratic movements
- Leave the water immediately if a shark is spotted
The FWC and International Shark Attack File underscore that shark bites are extremely rare relative to ocean use, with the vast majority of sharks posing no threat to humans.
No public reports of countywide beach closures were found as of September 5, 2025. Standard safety protocols remain recommended for all snorkelers and swimmers enjoying Florida’s coastal waters.For shark sightings or concerns, contact local lifeguards or non-emergency public safety. The FWC Fish Kill Hotline (800-636-0511) and FWC Reporter app are specifically for reporting fish kills, algal blooms, or abnormal fish health events.
