Boy, 11, bitten by shark off Stuart Beach
STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — An 11-year old boy is recovering after he was bit by a shark near Stuart Beach this week.
Kael Dewey and his family, who are visiting from Iowa, were taking a dip in the ocean, when their spring break suddenly turned frantic.
CBS12 News caught up with the Dewey family Thursday as they arrived at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter to take in a spring training game. They’re big Cardinals fans.
After the week they’ve just had, they need to have some fun.
“I don’t really know how to explain it, it just hurt a lot,” Kael Dewey said.
Kael Dewey, on crutches and sporting a wrap on his right foot, said he and his mom had taken their boogie boards out one last time.
“When we started to head in, all of a sudden I felt something grab my leg,” he said. “And then I just started screaming, and lifted my feet out of the water.”
Bringing his feet above the surface was intentional.
“He said he remembered from watching a shark movie on TV that sharks are attracted to blood,” said Jess Dewey, Kael Dewey's mother. "It was pretty scary. I was just afraid that my child was going to go under water, and I wouldn’t see him come back up.“
Dewey said bystanders rushed to help get Kael Dewey out of the water. She said Martin County Ocean Rescue quickly arrived and made a tourniquet.
Then, medics transported Kael Dewey to the hospital, where he had stitches on top and bottom of his foot.
“Tore it up pretty good, but it will heal,” said Matt Dewey, Kael Dewey’s father.
In fact, Kael Dewey should make a full recovery, although his parents remain concerned about infection.
“We’re thankful, thankful the way it turned out,” said Matt Dewey, who along with his wife and sons, expressed gratitude to all who helped his son.
“Just lucky that I still have my foot,” Kael Dewey said. “And, that I’m still alive.”
When CBS12 News visited Stuart Beach on Thursday, Ocean Rescue lifeguards flew red "no swimming" flags following a shark sighting.
Brad Beckett, the Ocean Rescue chief for Martin County Fire-Rescue, said sharks have been migrating the past couple weeks, resulting in several closures to swimming.
