Two American tourists were injured in a shark attack while vacationing on an island near Miami, Florida.
Summer Layman, 24, and Rileigh Decker, 20, had just reached Bimini, the westernmost island of The Bahamas, located about 50 miles from Florida, last Friday, February 7, when the incident occurred.
After arriving, the two ventured out on a friend’s yacht, and shortly after entering the water, they encountered a terrifying situation.
Describing the incident, Decker shared with TODAY: “I felt something nudge my leg, and I was like, ‘Summer, what was that?’, she was like, ‘don’t scare me like that’. “Probably two minutes later, we were right by the ladder, I felt my leg get tugged down and I immediately knew I was bit by a shark.” She added: “I just put my head in my hands and started praying that God wouldn’t take my life and that I would live. Yeah, it was very scary.”
Layman spoke of her injury, saying: “They [her friends] yelled to me that the top of my foot was shredded and I just hadn’t realized until I looked down.”
It is believed the attack was carried out by a bull shark. On the same day, the same species attacked another tourist in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Unlike Decker and Layman, who are expected to fully recover, the tourist in the Caribbean lost both hands in the attack.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force released a statement: “Police in Bimini are investigating an alleged shark attack involving two (2) female tourists that occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, 7th February 2025.
“Initial reports indicate that the victims, both U.S.A. residents, sustained injuries while swimming in the waters at Bimini Bay. They received initial treatment at a local clinic before being airlifted to New Providence for further medical attention. One of the victim’s injuries is listed as serious. Investigations are ongoing.”
At the scene, Layman and Decker were fortunate to have four friends on the boat who assisted them.
Layman stated, “I won’t be going into the water for a long time,” while Decker added, “I won’t even put my toes in ever again.”