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Joe Yates
Two Americans suffered injuries after they were attacked by a shark while vacationing on an island off the coast of Miami, Florida.
Tourists, 24-year-old Summer Layman and 20-year-old Rileigh Decker, had just arrived at Bimini - the westernmost island of The Bahamas - and roughly 50 miles from the Sunshine State - last Friday (February 7) when the ordeal took place.
Shortly after arriving on the island, the pair went out on a friend's yacht, and just a couple minutes after jumping in the ocean, their worst nightmares occurred.
Recounting the horrific incident, Decker told TODAY: "I felt something nudge my leg, and I was like, 'Summer, what was that?', she was like, 'don't scare me like that'.
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"Probably two minutes later, we were right by the ladder, I felt my leg get tugged down and I immediately knew I was bit by a shark."
Adding: "I just put my head in my hands and started praying that God wouldn't take my life and that I would live. Yeah, it was very scary."
Speaking about her own wound, Layman said: "They [her friends] yelled to me that the top of my foot was shredded and I just hadn't realized until I looked down."
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The beast is believed to have been a bull shark - with the species also one of the culprits to have attacked a tourist visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands on the same day (February 7).
However, unlike Decker and Layman who are hoping to make a full recovery, the Caribbean holidaymaker lost both of her hands after they were bitten clean off by the apex predator.
Following the attack, the Royal Bahamas Police Force issued the following statement: "Police in Bimini are investigating an alleged shark attack involving two (2) female tourists that occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, 7th February 2025.
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"Initial reports indicate that the victims, both U.S.A. residents, sustained injuries while swimming in the waters at Bimini Bay. They received initial treatment at a local clinic before being airlifted to New Providence for further medical attention.
"One of the victim's injuries is listed as serious. Investigations are ongoing."
At the time of the incident, both Decker and Layman were fortunate enough to have four friends onboard the boat who helped pull them in.
"I won't be going into the water for a long time," Layman told the TV station.
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Decker added: "I won't even put my toes in ever again."