OAK ISLAND, NC (Mark Washburn/The Charlotte Observer) In her 11 years with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Medic, Marie Hildreth has dealt with all kinds of trauma, but never a shark attack. But she did Sunday afternoon during a family vacation on Oak Island when 12-year-old Kiersten Yow of Asheboro was bitten in the surf only yards away.

"A woman comes yelling, 'Shark attack! Shark attack!'" Hildreth said, as she was on the sand in front of the house her family of 17 was renting this week.

Hildreth ran over to help. She got her certification from Central Piedmont Community College and loves what she does.