A teenage boy was attacked by a four-foot shark Monday afternoon while swimming in waist-deep water at Surfside Beach, along Texas's Gulf coast, according to local police. He was airlifted to a hospital after fending off the shark; he was bitten twice by the shark, once on his left leg and once on his left hand. Officials say the attack occurred at around 2:45 P.M. The boy was spotted by a church group that was out in the water. His name has been identified as Garrett Sebesta, and sources have learned that he is a resident of Needville, TX.
Police say Sebesta fought back by reaching down and striking the shark on the head. According to Gregg Bisso, Surfside Beach's assistant police chief, the bites are not considered life-threatening. Sebesta is currently in recovery at Memorial Hermann - The Texas Medical Center. As Surfside police are also trained paramedics, they were able to stabilize Sebesta until the helicopter arrived to transport him to the hospital.
Bisso says that Sebesta underwent surgery upon his arrival at the medical facility. "He was alert and oriented," he said. He is in stable condition. "He's gonna be good. Strong kid," Paramedic Z.W. Monnat, noting that Sebesta did not appear to be in pain when paramedics were taking him on the stretcher to be airlifted.
This attack was one of many that have occurred on the Texas Gulf Coast. Since 1911, there have been 37 attacks, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, FL. However, authorities say that this was the first shark attack to be reported at Surfside beach in over 20 years. "They've had shark attacks on the county beach and in Freeport, but here in Surfside, this is the first one in 25, 30 years," said Bisso.
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