Hero 10-year-old girl rescues brother from horror shark attack after leg bite

Richard Burrows, 11, was snorkeling with his family at Horseshoe Reef, about four miles off Key Largo near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park when he was bitten by a shark

A family trip to the seaside became a horror story when a young lad was mauled by a shark. Richard Burrows was snorkelling with his dad, David Burrows, 48, and his 10 year old sister, Rose Burrows, around 3pm local time at Horseshoe Reef, roughly four miles off Key Largo near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park when the attack occurred.

Richard sustained a “significant” knee wound after being bitten, with his father quickly applying a tourniquet to his son’s leg to stem the blood loss at the scene. Richard was then helicoptered to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Centre in Miami in a critical state.

Surgeons operated on Richard on Monday night and managed to save his leg, Sheriff Rick Ramsay confirmed to the Herald.

His relatives have now released a health update in a statement that read: “The initial injury inflicted on Richard was significant, but due to the help of a number of people, it was contained.

“Richard’s 10-year-old sister, 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.”, reports the Mirror.

“Richard is recovering well from his surgery and is gaining strength by the day. 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,” the family added. Florida is a global hotspot for shark encounters.

Last year, the state recorded 14 shark bites – half of all US incidents and nearly a third of worldwide cases, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

The species responsible for Monday’s terrifying attack, which has left the lad battling for his life, has yet to be confirmed by authorities.

The Mirror has reached out to Monroe Police, the US Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for further details.

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