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Boy Attacked by Shark Released

By BILL KACZOR
.c The Associated Press

 
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - An 8-year-old boy who survived a shark attack was released Sunday from a hospital where he'd been recovering from a light coma and surgery to reattach his arm.

Jessie Arbogast was placed into an ambulance at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital bound for his hometown of Ocean Springs, Miss., 96 miles from Pensacola.

It wasn't immediately clear if Jessie was being taken home or to another hospital. Sacred Heart spokesman Michael Burke declined to comment.

An update on the hospital Web site Saturday said Jessie was still in serious condition and in a light coma. Burke said Sunday that Jessie remained ``pretty much the same.''

Jessie was bitten by a 6 1/2-foot bull shark near Pensacola on July 6. His uncle, Vance Flosenzier, grabbed the shark's tail as Jessie cried ``He's got me, get him off me,'' according to a National Park Service report.

Flosenzier wrestled the shark to shore and retrieved the arm from its jaws. Doctors reattached it after 11 hours of surgery. Jessie also had a severe bite to his leg in the attack and lost virtually all his blood.

His kidneys have since improved and he no longer needs dialysis. Doctors say Jessie also has been making neurological progress.

It could be up to 18 months before doctors know how much muscle use and sensation Jessie will regain in his arm. But doctors had said familiar surroundings might help his recovery.

On the Net:

Sacred Heart Children's Hospital: http://www.sacred-heart.org