KEY LARGO, Fla. — Two days after a shark bit an 8-year-old boy off the Florida Keys, his parents said he remained hospitalized on Wednesday and were “immensely proud” of his 10-year-old sister’s “strength of character and composure.”
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, 48-year-old David Burrows was off Horseshoe Reef in Key Largo with son Richard, 8, and daughter Rose, 10. According to an incident report, it appeared the family had been spearfishing in the area.
A captain onboard a nearby Horizon Divers vessel boarded the family’s boat to help guide them back to Garden Cove Marina, where Key Largo firefighters awaited their arrival.
Firefighters said Richard’s older sister, Rose, applied pressure to a tourniquet. In a statement to Local 10, a family spokesperson said she “was instrumental in her brother’s rescue and both of her parents are immensely proud of the strength of character and composure she demonstrated under pressure.”
First responders also commended her quick thinking.
“The sister of the patient was actually holding his leg, helping control the bleeding when we got onboard,” said firefighter Travis Wilson.
According to a public relations firm representing the Burrows family, the father and his kids were snorkeling in the area, but did not mention reports of spearfishing, which is generally prohibited in the area.
The public relations firm representing the Burrows family has not responded to a Local 10 News request for clarification.
Read the Burrows family’s statement:
David Burrows, his son Richard (8) and daughter Rose (10) were snorkeling in Key Largo, at approximately 15:00 local time on Monday, September 1st, when a black tip shark rushed the trio and bit Richard on his right knee. The initial injury inflicted on Richard was significant, but due to the help of a number of people, it was contained.
Richard’s 10-year-old sister, Rose, was instrumental in her brother’s rescue and both of her parents are immensely proud of the strength of character and composure she demonstrated under pressure.
The Burrows family would like to extend its sincere thanks to all those involved in Richard’s rescue and the amazing teamwork demonstrated. Particularly, the Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsey and his Department; the Monroe County Emergency Fire Rescue; Richard Hayden from Horizon Divers Garden Cove Marina; the Trauma Star Air Ambulance flight crew and paramedics; and the teams at Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center, led by Dr, Vincente Nelson, Surgical Critical Care and Dr. Brian Grottkau,Chief of Paediatric Orthopaedics.
Richard is recovering well from his surgery and is gaining strength by the day. He is in good spirits. Our hope is that he will be back enjoying his passion for the ocean and marine life with his older sister in no time.
The Burrows family sincerely appreciate and thank everyone for their messages of support and well wishes and assistance in these past days. We now request some privacy for the family to focus solely on Richard’s recovery and will not be commenting further.
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