Texas shark attack victim at South Padre Island provides bite update

The Texas woman, who survived a shark attack at South Padre Island on the Fourth of July, has provided an update on her long recovery ahead. Tabatha Sullivent wrote on her GoFundMe page on Saturday, July 20 how she had a successful surgery after the shark had bitten off the majority of her left calf. 

Sullivent was one of the four victims who encountered a shark on the island on the Fourth of July. Officials believe the four bites happened across two incidents, with one person bit and another injured in the first and the other with two people bit at a second location. South Padre Island Fire Chief Jim Pigg said a single shark was responsible for all four injuries.

After the attacks, videos and photos of the two bite victims circulated on social media. The clips showed a woman with a large bite wound on her calf. Sullivent said she was thankful it was her and not her children she was swimming with at the time of the attack. Tabatha said that her husband Cary Sullivent hit the shark and “kept it from having” her for lunch probably. Cary suffered from a few shark bites as well but was released from the hospital.

For the remainder of the week, Tabatha said in the recent update that she’s on bed rest and will check her skin graft in five days. Skin grafting is a surgical procedure that involves removing skin from one area of the body and moving it to a different area of the body, according to Healthline.

“Prayers it is successful,” Tabatha said. “…I’ve stayed positive throughout this ordeal. My family has been close by my side taking care of me while in the hospital. My friends have been amazing, taking care of the house and animals, and getting meals ready for our return home. We have a great support group.”

The GoFundMe page is still active as of Wednesday morning with more than $26,000 raised.