A fishing trip off the Georgia coast turned urgent on the afternoon of July 1 when a shark bit a teenager near Ossabaw Island, according to local authorities and eyewitnesses. The incident was reported about 4 p.m. and prompted a multifaceted response that included the U.S. Coast Guard, Liberty County emergency management and volunteer EMS from nearby counties.
How the rescue unfolded
Watchstanders with the Coast Guard coordinated with the Liberty County Emergency Management Agency so the fishing boat could meet responders at Sunbury Crab Docks. Bystanders on the dock noticed the distressed vessel and moved quickly to help before formal emergency crews arrived.
"I was sitting right here reading a book on the back of the boat, and we saw a boat coming up and we could tell from a distance that there was trauma going on," recalled dock observer Terry Tatum, who went to assist the victim. "When the boat pulled up, the teen's father jumped off to get help. I then went over and saw what I described as 'a traumatic scene.'"
Tatum said the three teens had landed a shark described as about 5 or 6 feet long. While trying to remove the hook, the shark clamped onto the teenager's right thigh, causing heavy bleeding. People on the dock brought first-aid supplies and began treatment.
BJ Comer, a McIntosh County EMS volunteer, said he heard the commotion and grabbed a jump bag, expecting a need for a tourniquet. Comer and a coworker helped transfer the teen from the boat as an ambulance arrived. The Coast Guard said the victim was taken to a local hospital.
Local response and safety reminders
The incident underscores how crucial immediate bystander aid can be in rare but serious marine injuries. Local volunteers and dock residents provided life-saving assistance that stabilized the teen before EMS and Coast Guard units completed the evacuation.
WTOC and responders emphasized general precautions for people in coastal waters:
- Don't swim alone; remain within sight of others.
- Stay close to shore and avoid sudden drop-offs.
- Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when some species are more active.
Timeline
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| ~4:00 p.m., July 1 | Shark bite reported near Ossabaw Island; Coast Guard alerted |
| Shortly after | Boat met responders at Sunbury Crab Docks; dock bystanders provided first aid |
| Following initial care | McIntosh County EMS volunteers and ambulance transferred the patient to a local hospital |
Officials have not released the victim's name or current condition. The coordinated effort between dock bystanders, volunteer EMS and the Coast Guard illustrates how nearby communities and agencies can act quickly when marine emergencies occur. People who recreate or fish along the Georgia coast should carry basic first-aid supplies and be prepared to summon help quickly.
If you plan to boat or fish in the area, check local advisories and keep communication devices and first-aid gear accessible while on the water.
