NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. (WAVY) – A teenager is recovering after he was bitten by a shark Sunday while vacationing with his family in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.
Blayne Brown, 14, says what happened to him still doesn’t feel real.
“I don’t know what bit me or anything. I just felt it and ran. Then I was screaming. Everyone was holding my hand and I was like, I’m not gonna be okay. I’m gonna lose my leg,” Brown said.
According to police, this is the first shark bite on North Topsail Beach since 2018.
A family friend was with Brown in the ocean when it happened. “I remember like falling down or something and turning back and looking at Blayne, and that’s kinda like when I was like, ‘Hey, you got bit by a shark. I seen him,'” said Makinley Gore told WECT.
Brown received staples in his leg and was treated for a couple of pulled tendons, but he was up and walking soon after the attack. He considers himself lucky and says he is grateful it wasn’t worse.
Brown was treated at the Naval Medical Center Camp LeJeune Trauma Center.
The Navy released this image of Brown surrounded by his team of health care professionals.
Doctors expected him to be released from the hospital Tuesday.
Once released, he’ll head home to West Virginia to continue his recovery.
