Parents of girl injured by shark release statement

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The parents of the 12-year-old Asheboro girl injured in the first of two shark attacks Sunday at Oak Island have released a statement about their daughter’s condition:

“Our daughter, Kiersten Yow, was the female victim of Sunday’s shark attacks on Oak Island. As the media is reporting, she lost a portion of her left arm (below the elbow) and suffered injuries to her left leg.

“Kiersten was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington immediately after the incident and was transferred to NC Children’s Hospital at UNC yesterday, where she remains in stable condition and is receiving excellent care. She has a long road to recovery that will include surgeries and rehabilitation, but her doctors at UNC expect she will keep her leg, and for that we are grateful.

“We want to thank the good Samaritans and emergency responders whose clear heads and quick actions saved Kiersten’s life. We also thank her extraordinary doctors and nurses in Wilmington and Chapel Hill.

“This has been an extraordinarily traumatic event for our entire family. We need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and to help Kiersten recover.

“We appreciate the public’s well wishes and prayers, but we ask that the media please respect our privacy as we navigate this difficult situation—privately, as a family.”

-Brian and Laurie Yow

UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where Kiersten Yow is being treated, released the statement for the family. The hospital says it will provide updates on her condition, but the family will not do interviews.