An eight-year-old boy is recovering after a terrifying shark attack while snorkeling off the Florida coast on Labor Day thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of his 10-year-old sister.


Richard Burrows was snorkeling with his father and sister, Rose, near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo when a blacktip reef shark bit him, causing a severe knee injury, the Miami Herald reported.

His family said in a statement: “The initial injury inflicted on Richard was significant, but due to the help of a number of people, it was contained. Richard’s 10-year-old sister, Rose, was instrumental in her brother’s rescue, and both parents are immensely proud of the strength and composure she demonstrated under pressure.”


After the attack, Richard’s father applied a tourniquet to slow the bleeding. Rose held up her brother’s leg to help control the injury while a commercial dive captain, Richard Hayden, 33, came aboard to assist. Hayden applied a second tourniquet and guided the family’s boat to shore.


A dramatic 911 call captured the urgency of the rescue. “We’ve got a massive shark bite on board, where’s the nearest land pull?” a man told dispatchers. Asked about the severity, he replied: “It’s bad, just at the knee…I gotta stop the bleeding.”


Emergency responders met the family at Garden Cove Marina and airlifted Richard to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where surgeons were able to save his leg.


Authorities noted that spearfishing which can attract sharks is illegal in Monroe County, though the family insisted they were snorkeling when the attack occurred.


Sheriff Rick Ramsay confirmed Richard underwent surgery Monday night. His family later said: “Richard is recovering well from his surgery and is gaining strength by the day. He is in good spirits. Our hope is that he will soon be back enjoying his passion for the ocean and marine life with his sister.”