An eight-year-old boy sustained severe injuries after a shark attack in Florida but recovered thanks to the heroic actions of his older sister.
Richard Burrows was bitten by a Blacktip reef shark in the Key Largo waters near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Miami, Florida, just before 3.30pm on September 1.
His sister Rose, 10, was ‘instrumental’ in saving him – they had been snorkelling with their father David, 48, just before the shark attacked.
Rose heroically helped her father hold up her brother’s leg to stymie the bleeding, a 911 call obtained by the Miami Herald revealed.
In a joint statement, the family said: ‘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.’
Florida beaches dominated a list of the top 10 US beaches with shark attacks, according to data from weather forecasting company Tideschart compiled between 1642 and 2024, published by Fox News.
Tideschart’s study revealed which beaches had the most shark attacks and nine out of ten of those with the most attacks were in Florida.
Richard, who had been celebrating the public holiday in honour of working people with his family, was rushed to hospital after sustaining a ‘significant’ injury.
His family, however, said it was ‘contained’ thanks to the help of numerous people, notably his father, who applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding to his son’s leg.
What is the Black tip reef shark?
- Blacktip reef sharks, a near-threatened species, have occasionally been known to bite people but do not pose a serious threat to humans, according to the Florida Museum.
- The sharks are moderately sized and brownish grey, with black and white tips on their dorsal fins; most adults are less than 5.25ft in length.
- They have been responsible for non-fatal incidents involving spearfishermen, surfers, swimmers and waders, the Shark Research Institute found.
- Most bites have been on the limbs of people wading in shallow water or coral reefs.
Commercial dive captain Richard Hayden, 33, was also credited with stopping to help the boy and assisting the family to shore after responding to the distress call.
The shark bit the boy on his right knee, according to a statement from Richard’s family obtained by CBS.
He was subsequently taken back to shore and airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Centre at Jackson Memorial Hospital – doctors were able to operate and save his leg.
Richard’s family said he is recovering steadily and regaining strength.
They told CBS Miami: ‘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.’
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