Shark Attack in Texas: Boy Hospitalized After Fighting Shark Away [VIDEO]

A teenage boy will need multiple surgeries after being mauled by a shark Monday afternoon while playing in waist-deep water at Surfside Beach in Texas, suffering non-life threatening injuries to his leg and hand.

Garrett Sebesta, 15, was reportedly riding a boogie board with peers from a church group when the shark bit him, claiming a chunk of his calf and later Sebesta's hand as he tried to fight away the shark.

Sebesta's peers helped him to shore, where he was later air-lifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Texas Medical Center.

"He fought off this shark. It bit his leg and he literally tore this shark off of him and that's how he got the lacerations to his hands," said EMT Zuandra Monnat, who was off duty but happened to be nearby and responded with first aid until further assistance arrived, according to local news station NTRK.

Sebesta reportedly underwent his first surgery Monday night, according to Houston TV station KHOU 11. Sebesta's mother told the news station that her son had severe nerve damage in his left hand and "a big chunk" of his calf was missing.

Recent reports of people seeing or catching sharks around Surfside Beach, about 60 miles south of Houston, have caused authorities to advise swimmers to use caution.

According to KTRK, the shark attack at Surfside Beach is the first in at least two decades.

"They've had shark attacks on the county beach and in Freeport, but here in Surfside, this is the first one in 25, 30 years," Surfside Assistant Police Chief Gregg Bisso said.

The type of shark that bit Sebesta was unclear, though the fish was reportedly 4-feet long.