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Boy, 12, Expected to Keep Foot After Texas Shark Attack
Filed under: In The News
We think most of us can pretty much agree that sharks are best viewed during a dedicated week on the Discovery Channel.
Because viewing them in person, well, that's just asking for trouble. Ask Nicholas Vossler. The 12-year-old boy from Texas was playing in the water during a family vacation near Port Arthur on July 7, when he almost had his left foot chomped off by a bull shark, "Today" reports.
"We were swimming in the surf, you know, just having a good time," Nicholas tells the news show. "I was waist-deep in water, and a shark came up and bit my foot."
Family friend Mark Constien, who was also on the trip, saw the boy bleeding on a sandbar and picked him up, according to "Today."
"I saw his mangled foot and a lot of blood," the boy's dad, Cecil Vossler, tells the show. "I know God was with us, because we thought clearly; after the first shock, you know, you snap out of that and start thinking clearly."
Alisha Vossler, Nicholas's mom, waved down a boat to take the boy to shore, where a helicopter soon picked him up, and his dad wrapped his shirt around the foot to ease the bleeding, "Today" reports.
"When I put his head in my lap, he said, 'Mom, you need to start praying,' " Alisha Vossler tells the show.
The prayers worked -- Nicholas is expected to keep his foot.
"The prognosis is good; I think he's going to come back and have a functional foot," Dr. Charles Cox of Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston tells NBC.
Want to read more about Nicholas? He's started a blog, nicholasbitesback.com, to share his fish tales.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
7-15-2011 @ 4:10PM
celtcalgal said...Lucky Lucky Lad.
Reply
7-15-2011 @ 4:32PM
J.E.B. said...I can't think of anything more horrifying than to be eaten alive by a shark. Remember Alex Kintner in "JAWS"?
Reply
7-15-2011 @ 4:55PM
Steve said...Hang in there little cowboy, you'll be OK.
Reply
7-15-2011 @ 4:57PM
Jaime said...Was the TEXAS shark a mexican gang member ? Theres alot of those lowlife maggots in Texas, Arizona and Florida.
Reply
7-15-2011 @ 5:29PM
ImaginePeace said...Take your racists remarks and go away!
So glad your foot is going to be OK Nicholas, you are one brave boy!
7-15-2011 @ 6:31PM
Marion Ruggiero said...What a lucky little boy.. God Bless Him..
7-15-2011 @ 6:41PM
Susan said...and evidently on the messager boards, as well. Trying to turn everything they read into an opportuntiy to spew hate filled venom wherever they can. Why don't you go look at some recipe pages and trash the recipes for Mexican food? Hey, do't look now but your ignorance is showing!
7-15-2011 @ 7:47PM
Sue said...Jaime..ur a idiot..
7-15-2011 @ 11:33PM
wormel said...hahahah
im not a racist but that was funny hahahahah
7-16-2011 @ 6:55AM
Tuula said...No jaime, this was not un shark Mexicano, this was just a reg American criminal shark.
7-16-2011 @ 11:32AM
Roberta said...I do believe that Jaime is an Hispanic name. I also believe it is Cubans in Florida. Now if You want to talk "The Illegals" (Not the law abiding U.S.Citizens) in Arizona, I'm right there with You. "MOST" illegals claim to come here for a better life, but do nothing to make it so. But then, I guess living off The U.S. Taxpayers is better than beggeing on the streets of Mexico.
Putting that aside, what a brave young man to go through this ordeal. Best Wishes to You in Your recovery. ;o)
7-15-2011 @ 7:04PM
Michael said...You being aTexas cowboy will help you recover just fine. God had
angels help your family be calm and cool, prayer works,
You tell them how it works on your blog. Hang in there dude. : - )
Reply
7-15-2011 @ 11:34PM
wormel said...first of all this wasnt a brutal shark attack. Again HP sensationalising. he got bit by a shark and the shark left. theres nothing brutal about this story except that HP lied again.
"boy survives BRUTAL SHAR ATTACK " Iif it was BRUTAL he would have been thrashed around and bitten alot. this shark took a taste of his foot let go and swam away. This is less than fallng off ur sketboard and breaking ur arm. Im sure it was terrifying but cmon. pleae some truth in headline HP u pukes.
Reply
7-16-2011 @ 12:09AM
Joe Papierz Jr said...The report desscribed his foot as being bloodied and mangled. That sounds brutal to me.
7-16-2011 @ 12:18AM
Hamrick4 said...Aterall, a foot isn't that big and depending on the size of the shark, if he bit the foot, he could have just as easily taken it off. Thank God that wasn't the case. God speed your healing young man and it's good to see that a child your age, has faith in prayers and in God!
7-16-2011 @ 2:04AM
NOT Pro Tom But... said...No kidding! I'm glad the bite wasn't worse and it must have been terrifying but, once again, here we go with over sensationalizing the headline. I would have read it had it just said "Boy Bit By Shark".
This wasn't "savage" or "brutal". The shark mistook the kid for something else, hated the taste and let go! His foot is going to be just fine.
Had the shark really attacked instead of the bump/taste/run, the kid wouldn't HAVE a foot -- or a leg!!
I'm so sick of their sensationalizing everything!!!
7-16-2011 @ 12:18AM
Hamrick4 said...Afterall.........I left out the f......sorry about that!
Reply
7-16-2011 @ 12:22AM
Glenn Posner said...Perhaps the shark mistook the lad for a baby seal?
Reply
7-16-2011 @ 1:38AM
Nancy said...Hamrick4 & Glenn Posner- Sharks are "eating machines". That is what they live for. The flash of pale flesh in murky water could have been perceived as a fish! The boy's foot was mangled, because a shark's mouth is full of teeth- If that shark wanted to remove that foot, he could have with one bite. They have an incredible amount of pressure, in their "bite". Coupled with their numerous teeth, you could compare it to an animated wood chipper- the big ones!
7-16-2011 @ 2:57PM
Bruce said...One small shark can do a lot of damage. If you've ever caught a small black tip or other you'll find that the razor sharp teeth are'nt to be messed with. Sharks will bite,rip and tear. Even if it was a small bull it could do tremendous damage. Most attacks occur in shallow water along the surf because that's where the shark can find food easy. Good luck Nick
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