25 Years Later, Florida Lifeguard Recalls Horrifying Incident Involving 9 YO’s Death In Deadly Shark Attack

Engaging in activities like swimming, surfing, and other water sports is enjoyable, but it requires careful vigilance and safety measures. Being attacked by a shark is one of the most perilous situations that anyone can encounter, leaving a lasting impact on one’s mind. There’s a poignant tale from 25 years ago about a 9-year-old boy who tragically lost his life to a shark attack in the Atlantic Ocean. This incident continues to haunt the local community to this day.

From the lifeguards to the involved authorities, the haunting memories of this harrowing incident remain vivid and unforgettable. The stark visuals of the event persist in their minds, and whenever they recount the tragedy, their profound grief resurfaces. This was the first shark attack of Indian River County. The incident taught the community lessons to be safe while doing any sort of water activities.

The heartbreaking story of a shark attack from 25 years ago

The death of a 9-year-old boy in 1998 remains one of the most heart-wrenching stories even today. The victim, identified as James Willie Tellasmon, was merely in the third grade at Sebastian Elementary School when the incident occurred. This young boy tragically lost his life after going missing in the Atlantic Ocean on November 21, 1988. He was spending a Saturday afternoon with his family at the northern part of Jaycee Beach.

As soon as he entered the water, he disappeared from sight, and even the lifeguards couldn’t locate him. Lifeguard Tom Adams, who was present at the scene, mentioned that James, along with his mother and her boyfriend, was at the beach, and the last sighting of the boy was around 2:30 p.m. According to TC Palm, at the time of the incident, there were only 40 people present on the beach. When some beachgoers noticed the boy in distress, they alerted the lifeguard. Despite their efforts, unfortunately, he couldn’t be saved.

After finding his body the next day, the doctors recognized it to be a shark attack. This death was registered as the first related to shark attack on the Treasure Coast, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. The authorities till today address this unfortunate incident with utmost grief.

The authorities express their feelings about the incident?

Lifeguard Tom Adams recounted the incident, providing a detailed explanation of what unfolded. He mentioned that the mother’s boyfriend attempted to rescue the child by venturing into the depths of the water but was unable to bring him back safely. Despite efforts by the lifeguards to assist, the boy was swept away by the strong currents and large whirlpools, ultimately becoming lost in the tumultuous waters.

Read more: Watch: 44-Year-Old Nearly Escapes Death After Terrifying Shark Attack During Recent Surfing Adventure

Adams expressed, “It definitely impacted my life”. He further added, “I never forgot about it to this day”.?Another individual present at the scene was Police Chief Matthew Monaco. Talking about the incident, he said, “There are certain things that happen throughout your career that you won’t forget, this is certainly one of them”.?This attack by a tiger shark will never be forgotten by the people who witnessed this horrific scenario.

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