By Belize Live News Staff: A diving trip to Belize turned into a life-altering event for 15-year-old Annabelle Carlson from Colorado, who describes herself as “lucky” to be alive after a harrowing shark attack that resulted in the loss of her right leg and severe injuries to her hands. Despite the trauma and months of recovery, Annabelle’s resilience has become a testament to the human spirit.
The attack occurred on August 6 at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a popular diving spot off the coast of Belize. An experienced diver with over 20 dives to her name, Annabelle surfaced from a family dive when she and her siblings decided to go for a swim. Annabelle was the first to jump into the water, only to be attacked moments later by a shark that latched onto her hands.
“It’s biting my hands. And it’s kind of weird, so I kind of just start hitting it to try and hit it off me,” she recalled during an interview. As she struggled, a second shark attacked her leg, causing devastating injuries.
The terrifying ordeal, which lasted no more than 30 seconds, was described by Annabelle as strangely painless, thanks to the adrenaline coursing through her body. Quick-thinking Good Samaritans on the boat applied a tourniquet to her leg and rushed her to a nearby coast guard outpost. From there, she was airlifted to a hospital in Belize City, where doctors amputated her leg to save her life.
Annabelle’s recovery has been a long and grueling journey, involving seven surgeries, battling a bacterial infection, and learning to adapt to life with a prosthetic leg. Additional surgeries in Miami repaired nerve and tendon damage to her hands, allowing her to regain functionality.
Despite the life-changing experience, Annabelle remains incredibly optimistic. She now walks with her prosthetic leg and embraces her new reality with a sense of gratitude. “I wake up every day feeling grateful, just because I’m here, and I’m able to walk again,” she said. “This situation really goes to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I’d say I’m thriving, right?”
Annabelle’s inspiring story is a reminder of the power of resilience and the strength to adapt in the face of adversity. While the attack left physical and emotional scars, Annabelle has shown the world that even life’s greatest challenges can be met with determination and hope.
