Family Survives Shark Attack During Florida Reef Trip

On a bright August Saturday, the Reeder family embarked on a snorkeling adventure nine miles offshore at Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys. The children enjoyed swimming and exploring the clear waters, with their eldest son, 10-year-old Jameson Jr., capturing the moment on his GoPro camera.

While Jameson was recording underwater, a shark suddenly appeared. A shadow, followed by a tail and fin, moved swiftly towards him. Blood filled the camera’s view as the shark struck, leaving Jameson severely injured. His parents, Mary and Jameson Sr., quickly pulled him aboard the boat, where they froze in horror at his devastating leg wound—a mangled limb below the knee, with exposed bone and blood.

Realizing they were far from shore and with the nearest hospital 20 miles away, frantic efforts were made to save Jameson. A nurse on another boat responded immediately, providing first aid despite the dangers posed by the close proximity of the shark and the blood in the water. The family hurried to the marina, where emergency services airlifted Jameson to a Miami hospital, with surgeons later confirming the leg could not be saved.

Footage from Jameson’s GoPro confirmed it was likely a bull shark, measuring between eight to ten feet and weighing hundreds of pounds. The family described the encounter as a David-versus-Goliath struggle: Jameson had fought a massive predator and lived to tell the tale.

Following extensive surgery, Jameson was fitted with a prosthetic leg three months later, still active and playing sports. Remarkably, just four days after the attack, he expressed a desire to return to the reef where it happened, saying he wanted to face his fears and keep moving forward.

The event had a profound impact on his siblings. His younger sister Eliana, six, avoided discussing the incident, while his brother Nehemiah, three, idolized Jameson, calling him a superhero. Throughout it all, the family credits their faith for their survival and resilience. Jameson recalled seeing Jesus during his unconscious state, calling it both the worst and best day of his life.

Despite the trauma, Jameson continued to swim, skateboard, and even surf, demonstrating incredible strength and courage. A year after the incident, the family returned to Looe Key Reef, where Jameson took the plunge again—this time with a new sense of bravery, understanding the risks yet remaining undeterred.