Two Women Recovering in Florida after Apparent Shark Attack in the Bahamas
Two American women, Summer Layman, 24, and Rileigh Decker, 20, are recovering in Florida after they say they were attacked by a shark while swimming in the waters of Bimini Bay in the Bahamas.
The Attack
The reported attack occurred on February 7 around 6:30 p.m. in the waters of Bimini Bay, where authorities are investigating, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The two friends were visiting the popular tourist destination, renowned for its pristine beaches and fishing, with Layman’s dad, who was hosting his annual trip.
A Sudden and Unprovoked Attack
Decker described the moment she felt a nudge on her leg while swimming in the water. "I looked below and saw no sign of sharks when I jumped in, but while we were in the water, I felt a nudge on my leg," she said. As they began swimming to the ladder on the dock, Decker felt something tug at her leg. "Immediately I knew that I was just bit by a shark," she said.
Quick Action Saves Lives
Their friend, Austin, was nearby and immediately began to help the two women out of the water. "Austin was there and immediately began to help us out of the water," Layman said. "Things could have been much worse if he hadn’t acted so quickly." Decker’s injuries were more severe, and she was flown to Nassau for further care.
Recovery and Treatment
Both women were driven to a clinic on the island, where they began treatment. Decker, whose injuries were more severe, was flown to Nassau for care. They eventually flew back to Florida, where more extensive medical care was available. Layman received 48 stitches and is awaiting a possible skin graft, while Decker has had two surgeries so far and is recovering from nerve and artery damage.
Gratitude and Reflection
"I’m just very grateful to be here still and even have my leg," Decker said, acknowledging that many people who are bitten by sharks are not as lucky. "We’re just very grateful to be here to tell the story," Layman added. "The chances are very slim, however; it happened to us."
Unprovoked Shark Attacks in the Bahamas
Unprovoked shark attacks are rare in the Bahamas, with just 34 recorded since 1580, according to the Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File. This ranks the Caribbean country ninth among all tracked countries, with the US leading at 1,640 cases, followed by Australia with 706, and South Africa with 262.
Conclusion
The incident is at least the third reported shark attack involving American tourists in the Bahamas since 2023. While shark attacks are rare, the two women’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious and prepared when engaging in water activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened during the shark attack?
A: Decker felt a nudge on her leg while swimming in the water, and as they began to swim to the dock, she felt something tug at her leg.
Q: How did the women react during the attack?
A: Layman and Decker immediately began to swim to the dock, and their friend, Austin, helped them out of the water and applied a makeshift tourniquet to Decker’s leg.
Q: What is the current status of the women’s recovery?
A: Layman is out of the hospital, but Decker is still undergoing treatment and is expected to have more surgeries to repair nerve and artery damage in her leg.
Q: How common are unprovoked shark attacks in the Bahamas?
A: Unprovoked shark attacks are rare in the Bahamas, with just 34 recorded since 1580, making it the ninth most affected country among all tracked nations.
