Volusia County

Boy, 12, plans to surf again after undergoing multiple surgeries, blood transfusion from shark bite

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 12-year-old boy from Cocoa Beach said he plans to surf again one day after recently being attacked by a shark.

Jai Villamil was surfing in New Smyrna Beach on Monday when a shark bit him multiple times, he said.

He said the shark bit him in the nerves, so he did not have any pain.

READ: Man, boy bitten by sharks at New Smyrna Beach

He was with a friend who had just gotten of a wave and told him he had been bitten by a shark.

“The first thing he said is it’s going to be a gnarly scar, so I looked over my shoulder and I could see my bone,” Vilamil said. “It was pretty cool.”

Another surfer wrapped his leash around the leg to stop the bleeding.

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Vilamil will be wheelchair-bound for at least six to eight months as he recovers.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover some of his medical expenses from the attack.

READ: Royal Caribbean postpones ship’s debut amid COVID-19 crew outbreak



Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.