Overview
- The 13-year-old from Sugar Land was injured while doing an underwater handstand in about four to five feet of water and felt a sudden, intense pressure before seeing a silver tail swim away.
- A bystander who identified as a nurse applied a tourniquet on the beach and an ambulance took her to a local emergency room where doctors stabilized bleeding and placed a temporary suture.
- After returning to the Houston area the girl was scheduled for tendon-repair surgery and doctors say she is expected to recover full use of her hand.
- The family shared graphic photos and interviews to warn others, saying the teen’s shiny bracelet or resort wristband may have attracted the fish and urging people to remove reflective jewelry before entering shallow water.
- Experts emphasized that barracuda encounters with people are rare and advised simple precautions such as shuffling feet in shallow water to avoid surprising marine animals and avoiding bright or reflective items.