Boy recovering after shark bites hand, foot at Texas beach

GALVESTON, Texas -- A 13-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after a shark bit him off the coast of Galveston on Monday.

Gregory Slaughter, 13, and his brother were swimming when they were surrounded by a school of fish, according to Galveston Beach Patrol officials. The two boys were frightened and began swimming to shore when a shark bit the 13-year-old on the lower leg and hand.

Officials said this is the first shark bite in Texas in more than a year.

"Here in our shallow waters, it's very uncommon," said Lt. Kara Harrison of Galveston Island Beach Patrol.

Family members initially wrapped the boy's foot and hand in towels to stop the bleeding while calling for paramedics.

Harrison said while incidents involving sharks are scary, it's important to remember this is a bite, not an attack. Officials believe it was a case of mistaken identity, and that the shark intended to bite the fish and got the human instead.

The boy's mother, Misty Lamb, told KHOU-TV that she expects her son to make a full recovery. Slaughter was transported to the University of Texas Medical Branch and had two surgeries following the incident.

"Just don't swim in schools of fish, and if you have any open wounds or cuts that are obviously bleeding, don't get in the water and go swimming," Harrison said.