News Summary
A 12-year-old girl was airlifted to a hospital after sustaining serious injuries in a suspected shark attack on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The incident occurred off the south end of the island, where the girl suffered lacerations to her leg. Emergency responders arrived quickly, providing treatment before transporting her to Hilton Head Island Airport for airlift to a medical facility in Savannah, Georgia. Despite initial concerns, her injuries were reported as non-life-threatening. This is potentially South Carolina’s first shark encounter of 2025, highlighting the importance of beach safety.
Hilton Head Island Airlifts 12-Year-Old Girl After Shark Attack
A 12-year-old girl was airlifted to a hospital following a suspected shark attack in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on Tuesday, June 17. The incident unfolded in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island, where the girl sustained serious injuries to her leg, specifically lacerations consistent with a shark bite. Fortunately, local officials have reported that the girl’s injuries were non-life-threatening.
Emergency responders were alerted to the scene at approximately 12:07 PM, where they rushed to beach marker 24 in Sea Pines Beach to address a medical emergency. Firefighters and lifeguards arrived quickly and provided initial treatment to the girl before she was transported to Hilton Head Island Airport. From there, she was airlifted to a medical facility in Savannah, Georgia, for further evaluation and treatment. Dispatch audio indicated that the girl had lost a significant amount of blood; however, medical personnel had managed to control the bleeding at the scene.
As details regarding the incident emerged, there was some initial uncertainty about whether the girl’s injuries were caused by a shark or possibly a stingray. The wound in question is located on her lower right leg, just below the knee. Due to privacy regulations, local officials have chosen not to disclose the girl’s identity or current condition.
This incident marks what may be South Carolina’s first reported shark encounter of 2025. The event has sparked further discussions about beach safety, particularly in light of other recent incidents involving young girls bitten by sharks, including a 9-year-old girl in Florida on June 11.
Sharks are a common presence in South Carolina waters, with an average of about four shark bites reported each year. Despite this rate, experts emphasize that unprovoked shark bites remain a rare occurrence. Local officials and marine experts urge the community to acknowledge the presence of sharks while also understanding that the risk of an attack is relatively low.
Historically, the last confirmed fatal shark attack in South Carolina took place in the 1840s. The coastal waters of this region are home to various species of sharks, including Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth, bull sharks, and tiger sharks. Each of these species plays a vital role in the local marine ecosystem, yet concerns about safety continue to arise, especially as tourist activities peak during the summer months.
As this incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with water activities, local officials encourage beachgoers to remain vigilant while enjoying the ocean. Information about safety measures and awareness can help mitigate risks and ensure a safer environment for all visitors.
The community remains hopeful for a swift recovery for the young girl and continues to focus on promoting safety while engaging in ocean leisure activities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beach Safety Guidelines for Families in Hilton Head
Shark Bite Incident on Hilton Head Island Leaves Girl Injured
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Suspected Shark Bite in Hilton Head
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Suspected Shark Bite in Hilton Head
Beachgoer Hospitalized After Shark Attack in Hilton Head
Shark Bite Incident Injures Girl Off Hilton Head Island
Swimmer Airlifted After Shark Bite Incident on Hilton Head
Shark Bite Reported on Hilton Head Island, Victim Airlifted
Beachgoer Airlifted After Suspected Shark Bite on Hilton Head Island
Shark Bite Reported on Hilton Head Island
Additional Resources
- Fox News: Two Shark Attacks Reported
- Wikipedia: Shark Attacks
- CBS News: Shark Attack in Hilton Head
- Google Search: Shark Attacks Safety
- USA Today: Hilton Head Shark Attack
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shark
- WSAV: Reported Shark Attack on HHI
- Google News: Shark Attacks 2025
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HERE Hilton Head Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Hilton Head community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Hilton Head Our team includes lifelong Hilton Head residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listings of historic homes 0 , Hilton Head’s Gullah heritage and coastal culture 6 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Technical College of the Lowcountry programs) 10 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and...
