A family excursion to the Exuma Cays turned into a nightmare on Tuesday when a 12-year-old Friendswood boy was badly injured in a shark attack while swimming near Staniel Cay. His older brother, Jack Roll, tied a swimsuit tightly around the boy's leg to slow what the family described as life-threatening bleeding. The family credits the excursion crew and that quick thinking with keeping the wound from being fatal, and says Parker Roll is now recovering in the hospital.
Brother’s Quick Thinking Stopped The Bleeding
According to Click2Houston, Jack removed Parker's swimsuit and used it as a makeshift tourniquet while other passengers and the boat crew rushed to get the boy back to shore. The family told the outlet they were about 60 miles offshore when the attack happened. The crew regained cell service after roughly 45 minutes, an ambulance was waiting at the dock, and doctors at a nearby hospital treated extensive wounds that the family says required about 1,000 stitches and left Parker unable to walk without assistance.
Police Confirm Location And Condition
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said the attack occurred near Staniel Cay at about 3:30 p.m., and that the boy was transported by boat to New Providence for treatment, according to CBS News. The agency did not immediately identify the species of shark. The family believes it may have been a reef or lemon shark about 8 to 10 feet long.
Family Recalls The Moment
"I could see my bone: it just felt like a knife stabbing over and over, then twisting," Parker told Click2Houston. His older brother Jack said, "It's either we help him or nobody can really help him," and the family credits Jack's rapid response, along with the excursion crew, with saving Parker's life.
How Common Are Shark Bites In The Bahamas?
The Bahamas records one of the higher tallies of unprovoked shark bites worldwide, though experts stress these incidents remain rare. The International Shark Attack File lists roughly three dozen confirmed unprovoked attacks there across centuries, Good Morning America reports. Scientists say many bites are accidental and often involve reef or lemon sharks, which aligns with the family's description.
Recovery And Next Steps
Doctors expect Parker to make a full recovery, his family has said, though he currently needs assistance walking as he heals. The Roll family says they are grateful for the brothers' bond and the swift help from the excursion crew as they begin the long process of recovery back home in Friendswood.
