Fundraiser Launched for 15-Year-Old Shark Attack Victim’s Recovery

On Wednesday we brought you the story of 15-year-old Sofia Carlson, a tourist who was attacked by sharks near the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. While Carlson survived the ordeal, she received major injuries, and now efforts are underway to raise funds to support her recovery. A GoFundMe page has been launched by Aja Jewell, a friend of the Carlson family. Jewell notes that the odds of a shark attack are one in 11.5 million and the ordeal has left young Sofia traumatized. The aim is to raise two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for Carlson’s treatment. The page has already received almost four hundred and ninety donations, with a hundred and thirteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty-nine dollars raised up to news time. On Tuesday, Carlson was diving with the Belize Dive Pro company when she was attacked around 11:30 a.m. She was quickly rescued and taken to the she was rescued and taken to a Belize Coast Guard base on Calabash Caye. Shortly after, Carlson was airlifted by an Astrum helicopter to the Belize Medical Associates for treatment.