A teenage girl is being hailed as a survivor after enduring a life-threatening shark attack during a family vacation that left her with severe injuries and a long road to recovery.
Annabelle Carlson, 16, survived a brutal encounter with two sharks while diving in Belize, an incident that resulted in devastating injuries to her hands and the loss of her right leg.
A Vacation Turns Into a Fight for Survival
Annabelle had been traveling with her family on what she described as a “big fun vacation of the summer.” Three days into the trip, she and her mother went scuba diving approximately 120 feet below the surface.
The family, all certified divers, had already spotted several sharks during the dive along with various marine life. After returning to the boat, Annabelle and her siblings began taking turns jumping into the water from the top deck.
Moments after entering the ocean, the situation took a terrifying turn.
“When I jumped and hit the water, a shark came from under the boat and started biting my hands,” Annabelle recalled in an interview with KDVR.
She said she punched the shark repeatedly in an attempt to escape. As others nearby threw her a life ring, she struggled to grab it due to the extent of her injuries.
While being pulled toward safety, a second shark attacked, biting into her right leg. Witnesses attempted to fend off the animal by throwing oxygen tanks into the water.
Emergency Response and Critical Rescue
As the attack unfolded, those onboard quickly realized that the boat’s first aid supplies were not sufficient for the severity of her injuries.
A fellow tourist provided a tourniquet, which was used to control the bleeding — a decision Annabelle later said saved her life.
The journey back to shore took approximately 90 minutes, during which Annabelle fought to remain conscious. She was later transported by helicopter to receive emergency medical care.
“At that point, I didn’t really realise that me falling asleep would mean falling unconscious and possibly not making it out,” she said, describing the struggle to stay awake.
In the days following the attack, Annabelle’s mother, Kelly Carlson, shared updates about her daughter’s condition, describing the ordeal as “unthinkable” and expressing gratitude that her daughter survived.
Annabelle was later transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Colorado after developing a rare mycobacterial infection. Dr. Julia Sanders described the illness as “the mother of all infections,” noting that it has been difficult to treat and has required multiple surgeries.
Despite repeated setbacks, Annabelle has shown remarkable strength, returning to physical activity and learning to adapt to life with a prosthetic limb.
She has since taken part in activities such as Pilates and has resumed working out, with her doctor describing her as “an incredible kid.”
Finding Strength After Trauma
Annabelle has maintained a sense of humor throughout her recovery, even participating in a Halloween costume with friends that referenced the attack. She also joined them for themed photos marking the anniversary.
Reflecting on the experience, her mother said the date of the attack would “stick with them forever,” while also highlighting the lessons their family has learned about resilience and support.
Annabelle has since committed to raising awareness about emergency preparedness, pledging to start a foundation that would provide first aid kits — including tourniquets — to boats and remote locations.
“That’s what saved my life,” she said. “If I didn’t get a tourniquet, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Now focused on recovery and advocacy, Annabelle says she continues to look forward with determination.
“Everything happens for a reason and you’re always going to make it out of it,” she said.
