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INSIDE EDITION EXCLUSIVE: MOM OF THREE RECOUNTS LOSING LEFT HAND IN HARROWING SHARK ATTACK
INSIDE EDITION EXCLUSIVE:
MOM OF THREE RECOUNTS LOSING LEFT HAND IN
HARROWING SHARK ATTACK
AIRING ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH
Check local listings at www.insideedition.com
VIDEO CLIP LINK (MUST CREDIT INSIDE EDITION AND LINK BACK):
New York, NY – September 9, 2024 – Thanks to the help of strangers on the beach, mom of three Elisabeth Foley is alive today after a devastating shark attack left her in danger of bleeding out. In an interview airing today, INSIDE EDITION is speaking to her exclusively about the terrifying ordeal and reuniting her with the strangers who helped to save her life.
Elisabeth was vacationing with her husband and three teenaged children at Watersound Beach, Florida when the attack occurred. “I just looked behind me and I saw this huge dark mass and I was like, what is that? I just, I knew I wanted to get away from it. So, I started swimming towards the shore and that's when he bit me between the legs because I was kicking and I just started screaming,” she tells INSIDE EDITION.
She then tried to punch the shark in the nose, saying, “I missed the mark, he grabbed me by my hand and pulled me under. And that's when I thought I was going to die. And the power of the jaws snapped my hand right off.”
Her husband Ryan pulled her to shore where a team of beachgoers who also happen to be medical professionals sprang into action. They fashioned tourniquets out of beach towels and t-shirts to stop the bleeding and save Elisabeth’s life.
Paramedic Rylee Smith and nurses Abby Jeudemann and Bailey Massa were enjoying a girls' beach vacation when they heard Elisabeth’s screams. They tell INSIDE EDITION that instinct just kicked in when they saw the blood in the water, and they knew exactly what to do.
Elisabeth is emotional when INSIDE EDITION reunites them for the first time. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my life that day. I wouldn't be here talking to you today if you hadn't been there,” she says.
After two months and 19 surgeries, she is back home. She is still getting used to her prosthetic hand but after facing death Elisabeth says she feels lucky to be alive. “We weren't sure if I was gonna make it. So it's amazing that I'm here.”
For INSIDE EDITION’s full report, tune in on Monday, September 9th. Check local listings for times and stations in your area.
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