Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton has issued an urgent plea for support after her three-year-old nephew, Andrew, was hospitalized following a near-drowning incident. The inspirational shark attack survivor took to Instagram on October 12th to share the distressing news, revealing that Andrew was airlifted to Oahu after the accident.

In her heartfelt post, Bethany included a photo of Andrew with a surfboard, writing, “Help my precious nephew. He was Medevac’d to Oahu this morning after drowning last night. He still has a heartbeat and is fighting.” She expressed the family’s heartbreak, stating, “We are wrecked, but I know how proper medical support can make or break someone’s chance of survival. We’re asking for help from anyone who has information on what we can do to give my nephew the best chance.”

Bethany, a mother of four and a renowned figure for her resilience after losing her left arm in a shark attack in 2003, shared her message alongside a post from her brother, Noah Hamilton. He provided more details, saying, “Join us in prayer for my brother’s fifth youngest child, Andrew, as he was life-flighted to Oahu in the middle of the night. He’s a strong, resilient kid and an amazing swimmer.” Noah noted that Andrew was found not breathing in shallow water but had enough vital signs to be transported.

In an update, Bethany mentioned that the family had reached out to Dr. Paul Harch, who runs a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic in New Orleans and has experience treating drowning injuries. She encouraged her followers to pray for Andrew, adding in the comments on October 13th, “Please pray for Andrew and all his loved ones. Pray that we can do our best through this hard time. Much love.”

The family remains hopeful as they navigate this challenging situation, emphasizing the need for community support and medical expertise during this critical time.