July 8th 2024.
Tabatha Sullivent and her husband Cary were enjoying a day at South Padre Island, Texas with their daughter Skylar when they were suddenly attacked by a suspected bull shark. The couple had been out in shallow water past a sand bar when Tabatha noticed something gray in the water and instinctively kicked at it, thinking it was a large fish. However, to her horror, she realized it was a shark that had grabbed onto her lower leg with its sharp teeth.
Cary, being the brave husband that he is, immediately jumped into action and fought off the shark to rescue his wife. In the process, he was also bitten twice by the aggressive animal. Luckily, with the help of beachgoers, the couple was able to make it back to shore where they were treated by paramedics before being rushed to the hospital. It was not the way they had planned to spend their 16th wedding anniversary, but they were grateful to be alive.
Tabatha recounted the terrifying experience from her hospital bed, expressing her gratitude towards her husband, the bystanders, and the responders who helped save her life. She believes that without their quick actions, she may not have survived the attack. A video shared on social media shows the shark's dorsal fin swimming back and forth in the water, only a few meters away from where Tabatha was being treated on the beach. She also mentioned that her leg was severely injured and would require multiple reconstructive surgeries, but she remains optimistic that she will be able to keep her leg and walk again.
The family had been celebrating Skylar's 15th birthday and had planned to toast to their 16th wedding anniversary the following day, but instead, they spent the day in the hospital. Skylar, who witnessed the whole ordeal, shared on Facebook that her mom is resting and trying to figure out the road to recovery. A GoFundMe page was set up to help with the couple's medical expenses, and the community has already raised almost $25,000.
Authorities were able to locate the shark responsible for the attack and safely moved it back into deeper waters. It is believed that the unusual attack may have been caused by weather changes from an incoming hurricane. This attack comes just a month after three people were mauled by sharks on the same day off Walton Beach in Florida, highlighting the importance of being cautious and aware of the dangers that can lurk in the ocean.
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