MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A shark recently attacked 10-year-old Jameson Reeder, Jr., in the Florida Keys and he and his family need support as he gets treatment in Miami-Dade County.
Jameson was snorkeling when a shark attacked him. While injured in the water, Jameson got his family’s attention and held on to a noodle as a boat approached.
There was a nurse in the good Samaritan’s boat that took him to shore. Medics and a helicopter took him and his mother to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where he remained on Monday afternoon.
A surgeon had to amputate his leg below the knee.
Nine-year-old Jemma Reeder was in tears when she arrived on Monday at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
“He’s been a great older cousin to me and I feel really sad that he got bit by a shark,” Jemma said.
Jemma’s father, Joshua Reeder, Jameson’s paternal uncle, said they couldn’t wait to see him.
“We are thankful we are not going to a funeral,” Joshua Reeder said adding Jameson was snorkeling in water about 10 feet deep. He described him as “a boy just having a fun time with his snorkel and a GoPro and trying to see fish and turtles.”
Joshua Reeder said Jameson’s father, his brother, asked him to pray for Jameson, who will be turning 11 years old soon. James Miller set up a GiveSendGo fundraiser to help the family.
“We are asking for prayers and any additional financial help to support this dear sweet family as they recover both physically and mentally from this traumatic experience. One thing we know for sure, is Jameson Jr.’s fearless faith in God carried him through,” Miller wrote.