Teenage Shark Bite Near Galveston Injures 17-Year-Old

A 17-year-old was seriously injured in a shark bite Monday afternoon while on a boat offshore near Galveston, Texas. The teenager was transported to a hospital for treatment following a multi-agency rescue operation.

Authorities said the incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. local time. According to officials, the teen was bitten while attempting to bring a shark on board the vessel. His father, who was present, immediately applied a tourniquet to the injury. The boat, which was carrying the teen, his father, and a third person, became disabled while returning to the Galveston Yacht Basin after several hours offshore, prompting the call for help.

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office contacted the U.S. Coast Guard for assistance. Upon arrival, Coast Guard personnel applied a second tourniquet. Officials reported the teenager was conscious and alert during the rescue. He was taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for treatment. Authorities have not specified the type of shark involved or the location of the bite on the teen's body.

Shark bites, while rare, are tracked globally. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), which investigates...