A 12-year-old boy is recovering after being attacked by a powerful bull shark while on holiday in the Bahamas.

Shane McConnell needed 53 stitches to injuries on his feet but was saved from life-threatening injuries by his swimming shoes.

He was wearing the shoes when he fell off a marina into the ocean off Bimini Island, and they absorbed about half the impact of the shark’s bites.

Shane, from Edinburgh, described the terrifying moment.

He said: ‘I was walking along the marina when it happened. I put my hand over my eyes to block the sun out because it was so bright, and accidentally tripped on a metal cleat and fell into the sea.


The gruesome injury hasn’t put him off going in the ocean (Picture: Vic Rodrick)
‘I was scared, because I knew there were sharks around – I had seen the shadow of one earlier that day.

‘I saw half a shark’s body come out of the water. I saw its tail and fin – it was big and it was grey.

‘I was splashing a lot, and I think it thought I was food thrown in for it.’

He managed to escape from the sea and did not initially realise he was hurt as adrenaline rushed through his body.

It was only when security workers rushed towards him and wrapped towels that quickly became blood-soaked around his feet that he knew something was wrong.

bitten by bull shark in Bimini

 

Shane added: ‘I wasn’t in pain. I couldn’t feel anything, but my legs were shaking a lot.’

His dad Jim, 56, who arrived at the scene moments after the shark attack, said: ‘I saw someone laying on the ground. I recognised the T-shirt and shorts and I knew it was Shane. I ran over, and immediately went into first aid mode.