A courageous 16-year-old girl bravely fought off a group of sharks but tragically had to undergo a leg amputation following the attack. Annabelle Carlson, from Aspen, Colorado, survived a shark attack while on vacation in Belize, sustaining injuries to her hands and a portion of her leg. Despite the ordeal, she described the holiday as initially intended to be enjoyable.
During a diving trip with her family, Annabelle and her mother, both certified divers, encountered several sharks and fascinating marine life at a depth of 120 feet in the ocean. As they were returning to the boat after a dive, Annabelle decided to jump into the water, where she was unexpectedly attacked by a shark. She bravely defended herself by punching the shark multiple times, sustaining injuries to her hands.
Subsequently, a second shark attacked Annabelle, biting her right leg as horrified onlookers threw oxygen tanks to distract the shark. With the quick thinking of a tourist who applied a tourniquet, the bleeding was temporarily controlled until they could reach medical help. Despite the harrowing experience, Annabelle remained conscious until she was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital.
Following the incident, Annabelle’s mother praised her daughter’s resilience on social media, acknowledging the severity of the attack. After spending a month in a Miami hospital, Annabelle developed a rare mycobacterial infection in her leg, leading to the amputation below the knee. However, she has shown remarkable strength and humor in coping with the situation.
In a lighthearted gesture on Halloween, Annabelle, along with a friend in a shark costume, creatively depicted her survival story. She now aims to establish a foundation to provide first aid kits and support to those in need. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to aid her recovery, emphasizing her victory over the shark. The fundraiser has garnered significant support, nearing its targeted goal.