Watch how the incident took place in the video below.
Video credit: Inside Edition
A quick-thinking father managed to save his daughter by punching a shark five times after it attacked her at a beach in North Carolina on Sunday. Despite escaping with her life, 17-year-old Paige Winter still lost part of her leg as a result of the attack.
The Atlantic Beach Fire Department said the girl had sustained “deep lacerations to her leg, pelvis, and hand areas” from the attack.
In a statement, the fire department said: “Atlantic Beach Fire Department confirms firefighters and paramedics responded to the area of Fort Macon State Park bathhouse at 12.19pm on 2 June 2019 for an incident involving a 17 yo female with severe injuries to her leg and hands from a marine animal bite.
“ABFD Paramedics immediately transported the patient to an awaiting East Care Helicopter at Carteret Health Care where she was flown to Vidant Medical Center.
“The patient sustained deep lacerations to her leg, pelvis, and hand areas. ABFD cannot confirm what type of marine life was involved until further information is received from specialists and marine biologists.”
Park Ranger Paul Terry told WCTI-TV that the horrific attack occurred while the teenager was swimming. Paige’s grandmother, Janet Winter, said her son quickly “punched the shark in the face five times before it let go.”
The victim was treated at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, where she was airlifted soon after the incident.
The hospital released a statement, saying: “Her family expresses their appreciation for the first responders, the individuals on the beach who helped and her heroic father who saved her life.
“Despite this unfortunate circumstance, Paige is an unwavering advocate for marine life and the animals who live in the water.”
It added: “She wishes for people to continue to respect sharks in their environment and their safety.”
Paige’s grandmother shared an update on her granddaughter’s condition on Facebook: “Many prayers needed our 17-year-old granddaughter Paige Winter was attacked by a shark today. In surgery now will lose one leg above the knee and some fingers.”
She added: “Thank God our son was with her he said he punched the shark in the face 5 times before it let go. Wish we could be with them.”
Paige’s mother, Marcy Winter, also went to social media to update everyone on her daughter’s status, writing: “Paige is out of surgery and awake, she’s still pretty groggy but cracking jokes. She wants everyone to know that sharks are still good people.”
Recommended Video!
“‘Brave’ Man Decides To Wrestle With Shark In The Sea, Instantly Regrets It”