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Two American Tourists Injured in Shark Attack in Bahamas

The women were swimming in Bimini Bay when they were attacked by a suspected bull shark, leaving one with serious injuries.

Rileigh Decker, 20, and Summer Layman, 24.
Marlin Wakeman, of Stuart, was bitten by Carribean reef sharks after he slipped and fell into the water in the Bahamas. Media gathered press at St. Mary's Medical Center to hear his story on May 9, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Overview

  • The shark attack occurred on February 7, 2025, around 6:30 p.m. in Bimini Bay, a popular resort area in the Bahamas.
  • Victims Rileigh Decker, 20, and Summer Layman, 24, were swimming near a yacht when they were bitten, reportedly by a bull shark.
  • Decker suffered significant leg injuries and is awaiting her third surgery, while Layman sustained a shredded foot; both women were airlifted to New Providence for treatment before returning to the U.S.
  • The Bahamas has recorded 34 unprovoked shark attacks since 1580, ranking ninth globally, though such incidents remain rare.
  • The women expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal but stated they do not plan to enter the ocean again.