Florida teen who lost leg in shark attack tried to fight off predator

A teenager who lost her leg and narrowly escaped death after being attacked by a shark tried to fight off the predator.

The father of a 17-year-old who lost part of her leg in a harrowing shark attack said she bravely attempted to fight off the monster – and even landed a punch.

Addison Bethera was scalloping at Keaton Beach in Florida, USA, in shallow waters when the 2.7-metre predator suddenly attacked, the New York Post reported.
“She’s been through more than I could ever imagine but she is being a trooper,” Shane Bethea said of his daughter on Facebook.

“Please pray for her and the difficulty of her days ahead.”

Addison Bethea fought off the shark that attacked her. Picture: Facebook / Addison Bethea

The shark attack happened at Keaton Beach in Taylor County, Florida. Picture: Facebook / Addison Bethea

The teenager was rushed to hospital in a critical condition on Friday after the attack.

“The shark bit her once and then attacked her again on her right thigh,” her father explained.
“She tried poking it in the eyes and punching it but it would not turn loose.”
Her brother Rhett then gallantly stepped in to help, battering the shark until it finally loosened its grip, Mr Bethea wrote.

The brave sibling then dragged his sister into the boat of a passing stranger.

“Rhett put a tourniquet on her leg to minimise blood loss to the massive injury and kept her awake, ultimately saving her life,” Mr Bethea explained.

Addison's father Shane spoke of his daughter's ordeal on Facebook. Picture: Facebook / Shane Bethea.

“The nerve on the back of her thigh was damaged severely.
“There is an unreal amount of damage to her thigh area.
“The doctors are unsure at this point as to the condition of the leg and want to take it day by day to see what will have to be done.”

Bethea was flown to a Tallahassee hospital, where she now faces a long road to recovery.

Addison was sedated until Friday morning when she regained consciousness and communicated with her parents through her phone — and quickly requested a Wendy’s frosty.

Addison and her father Shane. Picture: Facebook / Shane Bethea

Addison is recovering after her horror shark attack. Picture: Facebook / Addison Bethea

Mr Bethea said. “She was in good spirits and cracking jokes about beating up the shark,” he said. “She isn’t out of the woods by any stretch, but she is alive and that’s what’s most important to us. We appreciate all of the support and Addison wanted me to tell you thank you as well.”

Addison’s mother, Michelle Murphy, also posted about her daughter’s terrifying ordeal on Facebook.

“She’s a tough cookie and she has a long road ahead of her but she’s alive and that’s all this mama cares about,” she said, adding that Addison is surrounded by friends and family at her bedside.

This story first appeared on The New York Post and has been republished with permission.