A 15-year-old Colorado girl, Annabelle Carlson, tragically lost her right leg in a rare shark attack while vacationing with her family in Belize. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning near Half Moon Caye in the Gulf of Honduras, just after Annabelle had completed a scuba diving session and re-entered the water for a swim. “It was a terrifying, life-or-death struggle,” a family friend shared on a GoFundMe page created to support Annabelle’s recovery. Despite her critical injuries, Annabelle is expected to survive.
The GoFundMe campaign, aptly titled “Annabelle 1, Shark 0,” has already raised $99,000 of its $250,000 goal to help cover her medical expenses. Shark attacks in Belize are extremely rare, with this being the first in over 30 years, according to Andre Perez, Belize’s Minister of Blue Economy and Aviation. “There’s no need for alarm,” Perez assured the public during a press conference. “Our waters remain safe.”
Quick action saved Annabelle’s life. The Carlson family was on an excursion with Belize Dive Pro, a tour company heading to Lighthouse Reef, a popular Caribbean Sea atoll. Annabelle was attacked by a shark, resulting in the loss of her right leg. Tour operators quickly pulled her from the water and transported her to a nearby Coast Guard base, where medical professionals stabilized her before she was airlifted to a hospital in Belize City. She was later flown to a top trauma center in the United States. “She’s stable and recovering,” confirmed Belize Coast Guard Admiral Elton Bennett.
Annabelle, a sophomore at Aspen High School, is well-known for her participation in lacrosse and basketball. Her school community and friends have rallied around her, offering support as she embarks on her recovery journey.
While shark attacks have been making headlines, they remain exceedingly rare. According to the 2024 Shark Attack Map, there have been 52 shark bites reported this year, highlighting how uncommon such incidents are, even in areas where they are more frequent.
