An eight-year-old boy suffered severe injuries on Monday after being bitten by a shark while snorkeling and spearfishing with his father and sister at Horseshoe Reef, located off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. The incident occurred around 3:24 p.m., prompting an urgent helicopter transport to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the young boy sustained multiple injuries: a bite above the knee that resulted in significant blood loss and additional wounds on his arm. He underwent surgery the same night of the attack, but there has been no public update on his current condition.

Following the attack, the boy's father called for help, and a nearby diving boat operated by Horizon Divers quickly responded. The crew administered first aid and accompanied the family back to Garden Cove Marina, where a medical team from the Trauma Star air service awaited their arrival.

Based on emergency dispatch audio released by Broadcastify, the child was described as "pale," and his injury was termed "significant." Rescuers applied two tourniquets and compression bandages to control the bleeding before the airlift.

In the aftermath of the attack, local authorities alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as part of the protocol for hazardous marine wildlife incidents. No additional measures or restrictions in the affected diving area have been announced.

This event adds to the list of shark encounters in the Florida Keys. In July 2024, José Abreu Hernández, aged 37, was attacked by a bull shark while spearfishing near a reef in Key West. He was evacuated by the same Trauma Star helicopter and survived following several medical procedures.

Although shark attacks in Florida remain rare, these recent events have raised concerns among residents and visitors engaging in water activities in the region. The boy's identity and details of his recovery post-surgery have not been disclosed. The Sheriff's Office has restricted information as the patient continues to receive medical monitoring.