GALVESTON, Texas — A 17-year-old was hospitalized after he was bitten by a shark miles offshore near Galveston, Texas.
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Rescue officials said the incident happened far from the shoreline and was not connected to beach activity.
The U.S. Coast Guard said crews received the call Monday afternoon, after the teen was bitten while aboard a boat roughly 2 hours offshore with his father and another person.
Authorities said the boy’s father acted quickly, applying a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding immediately after the attack.
While the group was attempting to return to shore, officials said the boat became disabled in the Gulf, prompting a Coast Guard rescue response.
When Coast Guard crews arrived, they applied a second tourniquet before bringing the teen back to land, where EMS crews took him to the University of Texas Medical Branch for treatment.
Officials said the teen was alert and conscious when rescuers brought him ashore.
Authorities have not released details about the teen’s injuries, exactly where he was bitten, or what type of shark was involved.
Galveston Beach Patrol also responded and emphasized that the incident did not happen near the beach.
Authorities did not release updates about the teenager’s condition as of Monday night.
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