A Texas teenager found himself in a life-threatening situation over Memorial Day weekend when a shark attacked him while he was out boating with his father. This harrowing event took place on Monday afternoon, prompting swift action from local authorities.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard following reports of a 17-year-old boy suffering a shark bite off the shores of Galveston Island. This was confirmed by ABC 13, which provided details of the incident.
The teenager, accompanied by his father and another person, was on a boat about two hours from the coast when the unexpected encounter occurred, according to FOX 61. The shark bit the teenager as he attempted to bring it aboard their vessel, authorities informed ABC 13.
As the story unfolded, the urgency of the situation underscored the dedication of rescue teams and the challenges faced by those who venture into the ocean. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea and the need for caution even during recreational outings.
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A 17-year-old boy is recovering after reportedly being bitten by a shark while boating off the coast of Galveston Island, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (iStock)
The boy’s father immediately applied a tourniquet to the wound and began navigating toward the Galveston Yacht Basin when the vessel became disabled near the jetties in the Gulf, FOX 61 reported.
The disabled boat reportedly prompted an emergency response from the Coast Guard, with rescue crews applying a second tourniquet to mitigate the teen’s bleeding before transporting him back to land.
The teenage victim was bitten by a shark while trying to pull the animal onto a boat off the coast of Galveston Island, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (iStock)
Authorities have not revealed what caused the boat to become disabled or how the shark was brought onto the vessel.
The group’s boat reportedly became disabled while navigating back to Galveston Island after a teenage boy was bitten by a shark while boating in Texas on Monday, May 25, 2026. (iStock)
The victim was conscious upon arriving back on shore and subsequently taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch for medical treatment, ABC 13 reported.
The teenage victim was taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch after his father applied a tourniquet following a shark attack off the coast of Galveston Island, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Jill Karnicki/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Authorities have not released details regarding the extent of the teen’s injuries or the shark species involved in the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Galveston County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.