He went home and watched the TV coverage. Claire recently talked for the first time about what it has been like since the July 6, 2001, attack thrust her family into the national spotlight. It lit the fire, says George Burgess, director of shark research and the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History. P.W. Thanks! The boy was not breathing. "If he continues that way, it might take years, but he could have a very good recovery," Vance said. And hopefully as Jesse progresses, the family will heal, too.". After the ranger pried the shark's jaw open with a police baton, a volunteer firefighter used a clamp to pull the boy's severed arm out of its gullet. He took great pleasure in taking photos and always carried a camera with him to meetings in case someone needed a photo. Anyone remember the boy,Jessie Arbogast,who was bitten by a shark in Pensacola 20 yrs ago? Young whale of endangered species "likely to die" after entanglement 4, 2003 | Updated Sep. 1, 2005. As it turned out, the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide dropped to 76 in 2001, down from 85 in 2000. The aunt and uncle of shark attack victim Jessie Arbogast described the 8-year-old's homecoming as "bittersweet.". "Jessie is speaking clearer words but no sentences," said his aunt, Diana Flosenzier of Hattiesburg. Arbogast's uncle, Vance Flosenzier, wrestled the shark out of the water; a park ranger shot the shark and Arbogast's arm was pulled from the shark's gullet. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. His was in the shallow water with his cousin while their parents lounged on the beachuntil they heard Jessie scream. Drawer 609Ocean Springs, MS 39566. Market data provided by Factset. And for the most part, he's happy. display: block; 1 In D1 Baseball Preseason Poll, LSU RB John Emery Jr. Jessie, a member of the Greatest Generation, was a proud veteran who served in the Fifth Marine Division during World War II and participated in the amphibious assault on Iwo Jima. Our son Ryan was the same age when he sufferred the same time of brain injury. 3 TCU To Win Back-To-Back National Championships, Report: Texas A&M Hiring Bobby Petrino As Aggies New Offensive Coordinator, Watching Bojana Jovanovic's Tennis Serve Is Beautiful, Bob Stoops Predicts When Nick Saban Will Retire, Former LSU CB Damarius McGhee Announces Transfer Destination. The sharks co-operated by offering up a few particularly gruesome attacks. Jessie Warden Arbogast, 99, of Morgantown, passed away on February 11, 2021. You know, right before I seized its tail, that's what I saw.". Tampa Bay Bucs Provide Injury Update On Former LSU WR Russell Gage, LSU Ranked No. He served as a member of numerous teams performing graveside ceremonies for his Masonic brothers. Jessie's parents, David and Claire Arbogast, did not wish to be interviewed about the shark attack and challenging recovery efforts of the past three years. They are praying for his full recovery. "Although he's not fully recovered, I feel that it's nothing short of a miracle that he has come this far and been able to actually survive," said Dr. Tim Livingston, a pediatric neurologist at Sacred Heart. Thousands of people have prayed and continue to pray. Please enter valid email address to continue. The uncle of Jessie Arbogast recalled a pool of blood and his nephew's screams in his account of a horrific July 6 shark attack in Pensacola, Florida, in a National Park Service report released . Arbogasts uncle, Vance Flosenzier, wrestled the shark out of the water; a park ranger shot the shark and Arbogasts arm was pulled from the sharks gullet. "What Jessie responds to the most is his own family and the people he seems to recognize," Patterson said. "There's not been any question in my mind that he was going to be okay. Trending News Republication or distribution of this content is The relatives expressed thanks to others who came to the aid of their nephew, whose arm was ripped off in a July 6 Florida shark attack. "It appears he has suffered some brain injury because of the massive blood loss incurred during the shark attack," Livingston said. However, the 11-year-old is still in a wheelchair and lacks the ability to communicate. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. "WhenI got there,I realized it was Jessie, and the shark had him by the arm. It was truly the kind of story that they turn into movies. On the evening of July 6, 2001, 8-year-old Jessie Arbogast was swimming with his siblings and cousins in shallow water on Floridas northwestern coast when a bull shark sank its teeth into his arm. Vance and Diana Flosenzier raced toward where their children, their niece and their nephew, Jessie, had been wading in shallow water. He emerged slowly from a coma.unable to speak and still struggles with severe physical impairments today. "Probably within a minute or two,he stopped breathing altogether," Diana Flosenzier said. OCEAN SPRINGS - Jessie Arbogast has come a long way in the eight years since a shark attack in Florida left him bedridden with a feeding tube. For more than 10 minutes, she and others kept up CPR on Jesse, while Vance Flosenzier struggled to pull the shark away from children who were still in the water. - Jessie Arbogast has come a long way in the eight years since a shark attack at Gulf Islands National Seashore, just west of Pensacola Beach, left him bedridden with a feeding tube. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Lauren and Piper Ritson, of Houston, Texas, Andrew, Noah Anthony and Jacob Grimm, of Lexington, Ky., Daniel Harris, of Houston, Jessica and Samantha Harris, of San Diego, Isabella Arbogast, of San Diego, and Leighton Arbogast, of North Ridgeville, Ohio; and three step-great-grandchildren, Michael Pizzola, Cassidi Paige and Bryant Winkle. All rights reserved. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 74 years, Virgie Mae Horner Arbogast, in 2016; his youngest son, James David Arbogast, in 2003; and his great-grandson, Tyler Keenan Ritson, in 2002. It requires hours of therapy, with Jesse learning to walk again, and hoping to talk again. He's partial to blondes on TV. "Jessie is eating well and growing like a weed. Michael Cohen, Trump's former "fixer," meets with Manhattan investigators "Isure didn't want to let it go, and it seemed that ifI held its tail up out of the water, it didn't have a lot of power," Vance said. "I heard a scream andI turned to the water andI saw a pool of bloodwhere the three boys were.". 3-D Brain Anatomy | He stayed there until Aug. 12, when he was sent home, still in a light coma caused by the extreme blood loss. He was eaten in another shark attack 6-7 years ago. Main There wasn't time to think about it.". Jessie Warden Arbogast, 99, passed away on Feb. 11, 2021. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about "His dad has not gone back to work," Diana said. At 16, Jessie wakes up almost each morning with a smile and interest in what's going on around him, said his mother, Claire Arbogast, his constant companion. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. His aunt and uncle are cautiously optimistic, but realize that recovery won't be easy. "Jessie has grown so much that David is the only one who can handle the lifting," explained Flosenzier. He was born on Dec. 12, 1921, in Circleville, the seventh child of the late Fannie Lillian Nicholas Arbogast and the Rev. "We're cautiously optimistic," Diana said. Shark attack victim's family clings to dream of recovery. Actually, a few updates, from 2003 to 2009, Snopes explains a viral email that was a by-product of the event, The boy whose arm was bitten off by a shark, Princess Stephanie of Monaco frowns a bit, Gina Lollobrigida dressed as a gypsy, a peasant, or both. "I told them it was in the shark and they turned the shark over on its side and stuck a retractable baton into its mouth and pried it open," Vance Flosenzier said. Legal Statement. And all of that is stuff that he couldn't do six months ago," Diana said. : The Jessie David Arbogast Medical FundAccount number: 012428229c/o Hancock BankP.O. It brings me back to a summer not too long ago, when an 8-year-old boy from Ocean Springs was enjoying a Fourth of July holiday weekend with his family at a beach near Pensacola, Florida. "Some meats are run through a processor but he is not on a tube any more," his aunt said. "I told them it was in the shark and they turned the shark over on its side and stuck a retractable baton into its mouth and pried it open and they could see it was still lodged in its throat," Vance said. The December call, Burgess says, was from a New York Times reporter looking to write a retrospective piece on what had, by then, become accepted wisdom: the hysteria around the so-called Summer of the Shark was completely unwarranted. Patterson said Jessie responds by opening his eyes and appearing to gain a higher level of alertness, but he added, "there's no purposeful communication. All He sits up in his wheelchair and participates in his life. UPDATE: From the Associated Press in 2004: But today, the child is defying the odds and "growing like a weed." The Family would like to extend its grateful appreciation to Jessies aides who gave their love and care to him over the past five years: Pat Taylor, LPN, for her expertise and companionship, Natalie Moore for including Jessie as a member of her family, he loved her three children, and Donna Huey for funcar trips, ice cream andlollipops. Last year, there were 79 shark attacks worldwide, 51 of them in the United States and 34 in Florida. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. It would all seem incidental after Sept. 11, 2001. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Neither man has been identified. "You just had to react.". He was born on Dec. 12, 1921, in Circleville, the seventh child of the late Fannie Lillian Nicholas Arbogast and the Rev. On July 6, 2002, 8-year-old Jessie Arbogast was playing with his sister and cousins in shallow water in Pensacola, Florida. All Rights Reserved. His uncle, Vance Flosenzier, rushed into the water. Jessie's uncle wrestled the shark to shore after the attack and a ranger shot the shark four times with a 9 mm pistol. Burgess, a scientist who has devoted his life to shark research, fielded 30 to 50 calls from reporters every day that summer. Arbogast. Arbogast is one of the few veterans. After starting work for Ford Motor Company in 1954, Jessie never bought a car that was not a Ford product. The boy had no pulse and no blood pressure when he was airlifted to Baptist Hospital about 30 minutes after the attack. It may be a year before we know.". All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Legal Statement. Family members have declined interview requests and in the statement urged the news media to respect their privacy. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Although he can't sit up on his own, he can roll over and crawl on the air mattress. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "There is certainly potential for further recovery, but we just don't know how long that may take or how far he can progress. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { "He takes it all in," Claire said. I believe he had his arm reattached but with the blood loss and trauma I don't think he was ever the same. Published: Dec. 12, 2020 at 5:57 PM PST MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - The Morgantown community came together to celebrate Jesse Arbogast's 99th birthday. "As our family moves ahead into the next phase of Jessie's recovery, we feel it is important to express our enduring gratitude to the many people who reached out to help," the Flosenziers wrote. She and her husband, David, have two other sons and a daughter, and there's also a large extended family. ", He now eats the same meals as the rest of the family (two brothers and a sister). The Gulf waves were mild, no higher than a foot and a half. It may be a year before we know.". They thanked a man who caught Jessie when he was freed from the shark's jaws and another who helped them with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Arbogast is one of the few veterans still living that fought in Iwo Jima. He continues to undergo physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed "They said it was just over seven feet. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. The uncle dragged the 90-kilogram shark straight out of the sea as others carried Jessie to shore. His caretakers Natalie and Donna wanted to do something special to celebrate his 99th. Jessie'sparents, David and Claire Arbogast, have expressed similar thanks in prior written statements, although they, too, have declined interviews. His wife said neither of them thought much about placing themselves in harm's way. Circumstance contributed to the shark hype hysteria first spurred by the release of Jaws in 1975 and kept alive by the Discovery Channels hugely popular Shark Week. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Arrangements are being made by McCulla Funeral Home. OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. Then, attention turned to Jesse's severed arm. "Our biggest challenge now is how to help him get it out.". He continues to undergo physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The Associated Press contributed to this report. "We have received letters and visits from many supporters, some of whom are survivors of terrible accidents and illnesses themselves," the Flosenziers wrote. The boy's arm had been severed and he was bleeding profusely. display: none; "They very quickly determined that they needed to do a load and go, and they quickly scooped him up and put him on and put him in a position where they could continue the CPR," Vance Flosenzier said. Seems like the family was from somewhere around Biloxi. And hopefully as Jessie progresses, the family will heal, too.". Emotional children greeted the 8-year-old boy as he arrived in an ambulance at his home in Ocean Springs, Miss. Emotional children greeted the 8-year-old boy as he arrived in an. I think they cared.". Patterson said Jessie responds by opening his eyes and appearing to gain a higher level of alertness, but he added "there's no purposeful communication.". He was also an idea person who won more than 50 awards from Ford for increasing efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace. The boy's kidneys have since improved and he no longer needs dialysis. And you know, that's kind of a haunting image to think back on becauseI saw that asI was running up to it. The shark reportedly was nearly 7 feet long, but her husband said he didn't give the size much thought. Jesse's uncle jumped into the sea and dragged the boy to shore. By ABC News. Surgeons were able to reattach the arm, but Jesse still had a very long road to recovery ahead. "I realized,I know what to do, I've got to breathe for him, there's nothing else to do. The scars haven't gone away, either. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. "We also wish to thank the many people at the beach whose quick thinking and actions helped to save Jessie," the family said in its statement. Only Jessie's pale face was visible beneath a blue plastic tarp that shielded him from rain as ambulance personnel took him through his front door. The Arbogast family issued a statement thanking people in Pensacola and around the world for their support and prayers and especially thanking the crew of the Baptist Flight helicopter that came to Jessie's aid on the beach "for making the hard choice.". But Jessie still had a very long road to recovery ahead. Stoney Cottrell of the Christian Life Center at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15. So I laid him down and started doing rescue breathing.". As a helicopter airlifted Jessie to hospital, a park service ranger pulled the boys arm from the sharks mouth, packed it on ice and sent it after the medical team. Jessie, a member of the "Greatest Generation," was a proud veteran who served in the Fifth. Community rallies to celebrate Iwo Jima veterans 99th birthday, Webster County vs Gilmer County girl's basketball highlights, Bridge Sports Complex Athlete of the Week - Sydney Baird, Fairmont Sr vs North Marion Wrestling - 1-17, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Complaints. One man's leg was amputated, and another man suffered a serious leg injury. Earlier this month, a New York man celebrating his wedding anniversary in the Bahamas had part of his left leg amputated after being attacked by a shark. Arbogast was airlifted to the hospital, and doctors reattached the arm during 11 hours of surgery. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. July 9, 2002 -- It has been one year since Jesse Arbogast, then 8, was mauled by a shark, and the uncle who rescued him is still haunted by the attack. He can communicate, and he can move his uninjured arm with purpose to pick up objects, not real well, but he can do that. , From Sacred Heart Health System: "Jessie's family says he continues to make slow progress in his rehabilitation from a brain injury and other injuries suffered in the shark attack. Children laughed and cried with joy Sunday in Ocean Springs, Miss., as an ambulance containing the boy still in a light coma arrived at the family home after a two-hour drive from Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Pensacola. To order display: none; From personal experience, it can be quite a rough go, so why not consider a donation? 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All rights reserved. Vance and Diana Flosenzierlive an hour from Jessie and his family, and they visit them each week. "We were getting ready to go to supper and about to gather them out of the water whenI heard my son yell 'shark,'" says Vance Flosenzier, the uncle of Jessie Arbogast. "And within just a couple of minutes of landing they were back in the air, taking him toward Baptist Hospital.". And every subsequent sighting of sharks, or anything that had to do with sharks, became a story.. "You just had to do,you just had to react," Diana said. The episode became immediate international news and kicked off what Time magazine would dub the Summer of the Shark.. Financial and moral support has flowed in from around the world. I didnt get another call from the media until the end of December, he says. Some have criticized the crew for not taking him to Sacred Heart. We do allow cookies to help our advertising partners give you a better ad experience. Market data provided by Factset. Vance Flosenzier, the uncle, spoke to ABCNEWS' Good Morning America, describing publicly for the first time how he rescued his nephew just over one year ago on an ocean beach near Pensacola, Fla. Jessie Arbogast is on Facebook. That summer, the public appetite for shark stories was strong and the media delivered. "There are no words or ways to express our thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at both Baptist Hospital and Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, except to say we are eternally grateful.". "I don't think it was just curiosity. He emerged slowly from a coma, but today is still unable to speak and struggles with severe physical impairments. "There's not been any question in my mind, that he was going to be OK. That remains to be seen, I mean the story's not over for us, but I guess I still feel that way.". Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Jessie can't speak because of brain damage from major blood loss. A huge portion of his right thigh is missing. "It was just like a nightmare at that point. In 2001 it was a bull shark that infamously attacked 8-year-old Jessie Arbogast at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Santa Rosa County and bit off his right arm. If his progress continues, it might take years, but he could have a very good chance of recovery, Vance Flosenzier said. A 2004 article in the Pensacola News-Journal reported that Arbogast was using a wheelchair and had trouble communicating, but was growing like a weed. An update on his condition in 2009 indicated he was permanently disabled in the attack, but getting along fine with the help of his parents. Times July 30 cover featured a great white shark, its snout protruding menacingly from the water and its jaws wide open. And he can't get enough of superheroes like X-Men and Spider-Man. }, First published on August 13, 2001 / 9:35 AM. "He still doesn't speak," Diana Flosenzier said. Doctors released Jessie from Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where he was transferred after doctors at another facility reattached his arm. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.