11-Year-Old Boy Says He's Happy To Be Alive Recalling Moments a Bull Shark Bit Him

The 11-year-old boy, Jameson Reeder Jr., said he was grateful and happy to be alive after surviving a bull shark attack off the coast of Florida. The doctors fought to save his life and had to amputate his leg just below the knee. Reeder told Good Morning America in an exclusive interview that he was sad that his foot is gone, but he's happy at the same time, considering that he is alive.

Reeder and his family were vacationing in Florida in mid-August when they decided to have fun and snorkel in a reef off a boat. Reeder, the eldest among his siblings, was swimming on his own with a pool noodle when a nine-foot bull shark attacked him. According to his father, "The intensity and the ferocity of the bite was devastating...This was a nine-foot bull shark, close to 500 pounds, thrashing a 70-pound, 10-year-old boy around in the water, enough to take his life."

Fortunately, Reeder survived and clung to the pool noodle while he was rescued onto his family's boat. The father said he and his wife sprang into emergency mode.

He admitted going blank when the incident happened and only sprung into action when he thought of his son being at risk due to the severe bite.

He immediately laid him down on the back of the boat and went in front to begin driving. The father knew they needed help and had seconds to get into action. He quickly flagged down other boats for help while he called 911.

Reeder Jr. lost his right foot in the shark attack off the coast

According to the recorded 911 call, the father said the bone was already showing in the young boy's legs, as it was a pretty big bite. He relayed that they'd put a tourniquet around his leg and wrapped it with towels. A nearby boat with a faster motor offered to speed the injured boy and his mother back to the shore, while the father stayed with their other three younger children.

The father handed his son across the rail to the other boat and pleaded for them to save his son's life. He kissed him on the forehead, not knowing if he'd ever see him again alive. Emergency ambulances were waiting for Reeder when he got back to shore. He and his mother were immediately airlifted to Miami Children's Hospital.

Reeder underwent four surgeries, including an amputation just below his right knee, People reported.

The young boy remained positive despite the incident

Reeder's mother, Mary, said she was impressed by her son's strength and positivity. Her son remained upbeat from the moment the incident happened. It was him who assured them that everything would be okay. He never cried but instead looked at them with optimism.

Although he felt positive in his previous three surgeries, the young boy admitted feeling down during the last. Mary noted that she is very proud of her son.

Approximately 137 shark-human interactions were recorded worldwide in 2021. International Shark Attack File confirmed 73 unprovoked shark bites on humans while 39 were provoked. More than half of the incidents took place in the United States.