Surfer Bethany Hamilton Shares Update After 3-Year-Old Nephew's Drowning Incident

Shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton is thankful for the outpouring of support amid a heartbreaking experience.

After the pro surfer shared that her nephew Andrew, 3, was hospitalized after drowning, she expressed gratitude for the guidance and well-wishes the family has since received.

"We are hopeful," Bethany wrote in her Oct. 12 comment section. "Thank you for your prayers and support. We are in contact with many helpful individuals. We trust that God has Andrew in his hands."

Among the medical experts the family is in contact with is Dr. Paul Harch, a world-renowned medical expert on drowning injuries, after his daughter saw the plea.

"Please pray for Andrew and all his loved ones," the 34-year-old wrote in another update Oct. 13. "Pray that we can do our best through this hard time."

The Soul Surfer author also reflected on her decision to share the harrowing experience on social media. Although she was apprehensive to take that step, she's glad she did.

"I was not planning on posting about Andrew's incident," she explained on her Instagram Stories Oct. 13. "I didn't want to go to the public in the first place, but I knew that it could potentially help him by getting more support and receiving more knowledge/help around what he's going through."

"It certainly has been a blessing," she continued. "Thank you. I don't plan on posting a lot. And will be off this space for the most part. Thank you for the love, prayers, knowledge and support."

Bethany first made the plea for help from medical professionals Oct. 12 on Instagram, alongside a snap of Andrew. "HELP," she captioned the post. "My precious nephew was medevaced to Kapiolani in Oahu this morning after drowning last night. He still has a heartbeat and has fight in him."

"We are wrecked," she continued. "But I know how proper medical support can make or break someone's chance of survival and in this case we're asking for help from anyone who has information of what we can do to give my nephew the best chance."

Meanwhile, Bethany's brother Noah Hamilton issued his own plea on Facebook and gave more insight into the incident.

"Join us in prayer for my brother's 5th youngest child Andrew as he was life flighted to Oahu in the middle of the night," he wrote. "He's 3.5 going on 5. He's a strong resilient kid and an amazing swimmer. He was found not breathing in shallow water of bath tub. His vitals were enough to get him to oahu."

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