SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (KVEO) — On July 4, 2024, Tabatha Sullivent was one of four people who were bitten by a shark in shallow waters on Texas’ South Padre Island.
The Celina, Texas, native was swimming when something dark approached her from the water.
“All I saw was something gray in the water, so I just kicked at it because I thought ‘Oh my God, it’s a huge fish,’” Sullivent told Nexstar’s KVEO shortly after the attack.
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Sullivent continued to kick at the shark until it attacked and bit off a majority of her left calf. Two Border Patrol agents and a swim coach were credited with helping Sullivent, using cooler straps to create a tourniquet for her leg on the beach.
Following the shark attack, Sullivent underwent skin grafting surgery along with regular therapy visits to help with her recovery process…