Off The Record

Young Boy Attacked By Sharks In Bahamas After Tourists Threw Food In Water

Published on April 19, 2024

During a family vacation in the Caribbean, a British child had a terrifying experience with three sharks, which led to a desperate attempt to rescue him in the middle of a feeding frenzy.

Finley Downer, eight, and his family were vacationing in The Bahamas when the horrific event happened on a trip to Compass Cay.

The family had left on the trip, which included swimming with pigs, and comprised Finley’s father, Michael, 44, and his siblings, Lily, 9, and Emily, 12.

Finley’s mother Kerry,40, who is divorced from Mr. Downer, claims that the tragedy happened when visitors started throwing food scraps into the lake, drawing a school of nurse sharks.

Finley entered the water as part of the trip without realizing the possible danger, and the sharks attacked him savagely, according to the Guardian.

Finley had terrible injuries from the upsetting image, with large pieces of skin pulled away from both legs. Mr. Downer said that Finlay had pleaded, “Dad, I don’t want to die,” and compared the situation to “a scene out of Jaws.”

Finley got emergency medical assistance to stop the bleeding because of a tourist nurse’s prompt measures. Then Mr. Downer made arrangements for Finley to be airlifted to a hospital for critical surgery.

Finley promised never to go near shark-infested waters ever again after returning to his home in Weldon, near Corby, Northamptonshire. As everything was going on, Mr. Downer thought back on the horrific event, praising his son for his bravery and the strangers for their vital help in preserving his life.

Although the family is still dealing with the effects of the terrifying experience, Mr. Downer has stated that he holds the tour organization completely innocent. “It was an very unfortunate accident. We were led to believe the sharks weren’t dangerous but any animal can suddenly turn and bite, even a dog. It’s no one’s fault,” he said.

“I’m happy to be seen as a bad parent who lets my kids do an excursion which I understood was safe,” Mr. Downer went on, “We didn’t think it was a risk, as much as you think these activities are safe things can happen so I hope it serves as a warning to other people.”

The Downer family is still thankful for the outpouring of support and child Finley’s miracle survival despite the trauma caused by the shark attack.