Encinitas shark attack: 13-year-old victim identified, will make full recovery

ENCINITAS, Calif. -- A 13-year-old boy bitten by a shark in the San Diego area was identified Monday and is expected to make a full recovery.

This news comes as officials prepare to reopen Beacon's Beach in Encinitas, where the attack happened on Saturday. The boy was identified Monday as Keane Webre-Hayes.

During an afternoon press conference, the boy's mother, Ellie Hayes, said she was still processing the situation, but said she's grateful her son is alive.

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A 13-year-old boy was airlifted to a hospital after being attacked by an approximately 11-foot shark at a beach in San Diego County.

"Keane is really special. He's really neat and one word I would describe him as is nice. He's a nice kid. He's very brave, very strong... He's a warrior. I didn't know he was that good of a swimmer. I'm really proud of him," she said.

She added that Keane is talking, alert and eating as he recovers from emergency surgery.

Hayes said that when her son is ready, he will share his story of the attack and how he survived.

"This is Keane's story. It belongs to him," she said. "I wasn't out there and I can't imagine, and I'm sure he'll share it when he's ready. I just want to tell him that I love him from the bottom of my heart."

Keane was diving for lobsters when he was bitten multiple times by an approximately 11-foot shark.

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Three good Samaritans rushed to the injured boy's aid and transported him to the shore on a kayak.

He was airlifted to Rady's Children's Hospital San Diego. While doctors did not provide in-depth details about the bite, during the Monday press conference they did say his bite was very large and deep and that Keane had lost a lot of blood.

In an emotional interview, Hayes said it's a miracle he survived and wants to make the family a lobster dinner when he gets out of the hospital, since he was lobster diving at the time of the attack.

She went on to say that he plans to get back into the water because "nobody gets bitten twice."

The family says they would like to personally thank the men who helped rescue the thirteen-year-old and most likely saved his life.

Keane is currently in serious condition in the ICU.

ABC7 News contributed to this report.