An Illinois Teen Is Recovering After Shark Attack In The Bahamas
By Gwendolyn Purdom in News on Aug 15, 2016 3:38PM
(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
A suburban teen is back home recovering after nearly losing his leg in a shark attack on a recent family trip to the Bahamas. The terrifying experience unfolded when Johnny Stoch, a 15-year-old from southwest suburban Homer Glen, and his family were snorkeling earlier this month on an end-of-the-summer trip before Stoch and his brother start the school year. The teen told ABC7 that after the shark attacked, he kicked at it and it swam away, but not before taking a large chunk out of his calf.
According to the Daily Southtown, it's tricky to get an ambulance in the Bahamas on a Sunday, so the family was transported to the nearest hospital in the back of a pickup truck. The shark had luckily missed important nerves and tendons and doctors were able to reconstruct Stoch's calf.
When the family returned home, they were greeted by friends with welcome banners and balloons. Stoch is healing, though his dad told reporters his son, understandably, won't be able to compete in cross country this year. The boy also said he's still a fan of sharks.
Chicago's bodies of water may be filled with other unpleasantness, but hey, at least they're shark-free.