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A 12-year-old girl was bitten by a shark while swimming off Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on Tuesday (June 17). According to Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, the girl sustained a leg injury with lacerations typical of a shark bite. She received immediate medical attention from Shore Beach Services and Fire Rescue personnel before being airlifted to Savannah, Georgia, for further treatment. Her injuries are not life-threatening.
The incident has left beachgoers on edge as summer approaches. "It's kind of nerve-racking, a little bit," said Naomi Vereb, a visitor to Hilton Head Island, in an interview with WTOC. This marks the second shark bite involving a child in recent days, following an incident where nine-year-old Leah Lendel was bitten while snorkeling near Boca Grande, Florida.
Shark attacks are rare but do occur. In 2024, the International Shark Attack File recorded 71 shark bites worldwide, with 47 being unprovoked. As summer brings more visitors to the beach, authorities urge everyone to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings.