Two friends are recovering in the United States after a terrifying shark attack while swimming in the Bahamas. Rileigh Decker 20, and Summer Layman, 24, were enjoying their vacation in Bimini Bay on Friday when their trip took a sudden, dangerous turn. The pair had jumped off a friend’s boat and were making their way back when they were both attacked by what they believed was a bull shark.
“I Knew Right Then and There I Was Bit”
In an interview from her hospital bed in Florida, Decker described the moment she realized something was wrong.
“We were swimming to the ladder, and I kind of felt something nudge my leg,” she told media. “We kept swimming, and then I felt a tug on my leg. And I knew right then and there that I was bit.”
The shark had torn through her tibia bone and Achilles tendon, leaving her unable to pull herself back onto the boat. Her friend quickly stepped in, pulling her aboard.
Meanwhile, Layman, who has medical training, directed another friend on how to apply first aid, using a towel and a rope as a tourniquet to slow the bleeding until emergency responders arrived.
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A Second, Unexpected Bite
In the chaos, Layman didn’t immediately realize she had also been bitten.
“We both were panicking in that moment,” she said. “I didn’t realize I got bit until they started screaming that my foot was, like, shredded and there was just blood everywhere.”
Both women received initial treatment at a local clinic before being airlifted to New Providence for further medical care, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. They were flown back to the U.S. the following day.
A Long Road to Recovery
Decker has already undergone two surgeries on her leg, with at least one more expected, according to her family.
“All we can do now is just be very grateful that we’re still here because it could have ended very differently,” she said.
Layman acknowledged the challenging recovery process ahead but remained optimistic.
“We’ll get through this together,” she said.
The two friends also expressed deep gratitude for those who helped save them.
“If they weren’t there, we wouldn’t be here,” Decker said. “I’m just very grateful for all of them.”
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Shark Attacks Remain Rare
Despite the frightening ordeal, shark attacks are uncommon. The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File recorded only 47 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2024.
In 2023, the Bahamas reported just one fatal attack—a 44-year-old woman from Massachusetts was killed while paddleboarding near a resort.
While encounters like Decker and Layman’s are rare, their story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of marine life and the importance of quick emergency response.
