Quick-Thinking Brother Fights Off Shark To Save Sister

When we’re faced with a worrisome situation, it’s important that we keep a sound mind so we can come up with the best responses to it.

Scallop-Fishing

On June 30th, what seemed to be a great day for scalloping ended up in tragedy for two siblings.

Meet Addison

17-year-old Addison Bethea was out scallop-fishing with her older brother, Rhett Willingham, on the Keaton Beach shore in Florida when things suddenly went south.

An Unexpected Guest

Addison told Good Morning America, “And the next thing I know something latches onto my leg and I was like that’s not right. And then I look and it’s a big old shark.”

She Knew What To Do

At that moment, Addison remembered an episode of Animal Planet where she learned that you need to punch the shark’s nose in case of an attack, however, she was caught up in a position where she couldn’t reach it.

To The Rescue

When he saw what was happening, Rhett quickly jumped into the water to save his little sister. He said, “I swam over there, grabbed her, and then pushed them all, kind of trying to separate them. And he just kept coming. So I grabbed her, swam backward and kicked him, and then yelled for help.”

He’s A Professional

The 22-year-old Taylor County emergency medical technician and firefighter beat and kicked the shark until it finally let go of Addison. He then grabbed her and placed her on a stranger’s boat before creating a 4-foot tourniquet using the boat’s rope and wrapping it around his sister’s right upper leg to control the bleeding.

Her Condition

Addison, in critical condition, was airlifted to the nearest hospital. Addison’s dad, Shane Bethea said, “The shark attacked her right leg, (the) front quad muscle was completely annihilated… The vascular surgeon took the vein from the left leg and turned it into an artery for the right leg to get blood flow.”

She Survived

Despite what happened, their family was still thankful that the siblings were able to get out of the situation. On the other hand, as it turns out, the shark attack on Addison took place just four days after residents spotted sharks lurking nearby the same area.

Watch how Rhett’s quick thinking saved Addison from a shark attack in the video below.

Watch Video Here: