Surviving a Shark Attack: A Colorado Teen recalls moment her leg was ripped off during a shark attack
Imagine being in the crystal-clear waters of Belize, ready for a diving adventure, only to have your life turned upside down by a sudden shark attack. This nightmare became a reality for Annabelle Carlson, a brave 15-year-old from Colorado, who faced a life-altering moment during a family trip to the Lighthouse Reef near Half Moon Cay in the Gulf of Honduras.
Annabelle vividly recalls the terrifying ordeal of feeling like she was playing "tug of war" with two sharks as they viciously attacked her, ripping off her leg and injuring her hands. The incident occurred on August 6 while she was on a diving excursion with her family and a tour group.
Upon entering the water, Annabelle was immediately confronted by the aggressive sea creatures. She valiantly tried to fend off the first shark, but it was the second shark that inflicted irreversible damage, changing her life forever. Despite the chaos, the tour operators from Belize Dive Pro swiftly intervened to rescue her from the perilous situation.
Speaking to NBC News, Annabelle described the surreal sensation of the shark attack, stating, "It was completely painless. It felt like a tugging feeling, which was weird. It felt like I was playing tug of war a little bit... My adrenaline was so high that I didn't even feel the second shark attack my leg."
During the chaos, Annabelle was surrounded by guardian angels on the boat who courageously threw scuba tanks into the water to deter the sharks until she was safely back on board. Her mother, Kellie Carlson, expressed the shock and fear she experienced witnessing her daughter's traumatic injuries.
Kellie recounted the harrowing moment, saying, "As soon as they pulled her up, I knew right then and there I was going to have to do everything I could to save her life. Because basically her leg was missing from her knee to her ankle... All the soft tissue from her knee to her ankle was gone, and it was just her tibia and fibula. I wasn't sure she was going to make it because she was sheet white."
Following the attack, Annabelle endured four months of hospitalization, undergoing seven surgeries, including the amputation of her leg. She also battled a bacterial infection, which she continues to treat with antibiotics for the next six months. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Annabelle's resilience shines through.
The Aspen native's determination and positive outlook are truly inspiring. She has been fitted with a prosthetic leg, which has reignited her passion for sports, including lacrosse and skiing. Annabelle's unwavering spirit motivates her to not only walk again but also to return to the ocean that once brought her both joy and pain.