A teenager is in the hospital recovering from a shark attack that happened at a North Carolina beach. The incident occurred at North Topsail Beach in Onslow County around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. The victim, 14-year-old Blayne Brown, was bitten on his right leg by a shark.
Police Chief William Younginer rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the attack. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with people yelling for others to get out of the water due to the presence of a shark. Brown, who was visiting from West Virginia, was in the water when he was bitten. He later recounted that he was screaming for help, but people initially didn’t realize he was being attacked by a shark.
Brown sustained injuries to his leg and ankle from the shark bites. Luckily, two police officers and an EMS officer were already on-site due to a previous emergency call. They quickly applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and transferred Brown to a nearby medical center for treatment.
According to Chief Younginer, shark attacks are rare in the area, with incidents like stepping on a stingray being more common. He mentioned that since he started working in the area in 2018, there hadn’t been any previous shark attacks recorded. Brown is expected to be discharged from the hospital soon, following his recovery.
It’s crucial for beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings, especially in areas where shark sightings have been reported. While shark attacks are rare, it’s essential to follow safety protocols and guidelines provided by local authorities. Remember to always stay informed and take necessary precautions when enjoying the beach to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.