BOCA GRANDE, Fla. - A child is recovering in a Florida hospital after being attacked on Wednesday by a shark while swimming along the state’s Gulf Coast, first responders said.

Friends identified the victim as a 9-year-old girl who was playing with her siblings along Boca Grande Beach when the encounter occurred.

Witnesses indicated that first responders quickly arrived but determined that her injuries were significant enough that she needed to be airlifted to a local hospital.

According to updates shared by her family, the girl sustained significant injuries to her hand and faces a long road to recovery.

"We’re thankful to Jesus for the quick response of emergency crews and the skill of the medical team, she is now stable and going through surgery - fighting hard for her road to recov

See Full Page