Keane Hayes was attacked by a shark at Beacon’s Beach. The community raised over $20,000 to help with medical bills. Image: Gofundme
On Saturday, September 29, 13-year-old Keane Hayes was attacked by a shark. Now, a few days later, a fundraiser set up to help pay for his medical bills has smashed the $20,000 goal. Nearly 500 people pitched in to raise $25,839 in a single day, and as of Monday morning, people are still donating.
According to witnesses, the shark that bit Hayes was around 11-feet long. And while the species is not known, California Fish and Game, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the city of Solana Beach, and the city of Carlsbad were working with Dr. Chris Lowe from California State University, Long Beach to figure it out.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Hayes is expected to recover. After the initial attack, good samaritans got the teen onto a kayak, applied pressure to the wound, and got him to the beach. From there, lifeguards took over until paramedics arrive, and Hayes was airlifted to Rady Children’s Hospital. After a full day of surgery, his condition was updated from critical to serious, and his family and friends, although still scared, breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Still, though, Hayes has a long road to recovery, and every little bit counts. Click here to help out.
