A child was airlifted to a hospital after an apparent shark attack off the Gulf Coast of Florida, fire rescue said. Boca Grande Fire Chief C.W. Blosser told McClatchy News the victim was swimming off the beach in a residential area with family when the attack happened at around noon June 11.

What began as a fun and sunny day at the beach in Boca Grande, Florida, turned into a terrifying and life-altering event on Wednesday when 9-year-old Leah was attacked by a shark while swimming along the state’s Gulf Coast.

A child is recovering in a Florida hospital after being attacked on Wednesday by a shark while swimming along the state’s Gulf Coast, first responders said.