17-year-old Addison Bethea is currently recovering in Tallahassee Memorial Hospital after suffering devastating injuries to her legs in a shark attack off the coast of Keaton Beach, FL.

Bethea was searching for scallops in the shallow waters when she was attacked by “9-foot shark”. Bethea tried poking the shark in the eyes and punching it, but it wouldn’t let go of her right leg.

Thankfully, Bethea’s brother Rhett Willingham was nearby. Willingham forcefully kicked the shark and was finally able to separate his sister from it. He threw her into a nearby boat and began lifesaving first aid.

^Photo by Maxence Pira on Unsplash 

Willingham is a first responder and used his knowledge to wrap a tourniquet around Bethea’s leg. She was then airlifted to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where trauma doctors were able to stabilize her.

Bethea has undergone numerous surgeries, but doctors ultimately had to amputate her right leg above the knee.

Her family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the medical expenses incurred from the shark attack. It’s already raised $36k of the $50k goal at the time of writing this article.

You can read more about Bethea and donate to her GoFundMe by clicking the link here, or the embedded post below.

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