ARCHDALE, N.C. -- Lunchtime's always busy at the the Archdale Soda Shop.
Word has gone around around about the weekend shark attack.
"It’s just crazy, I mean, it's like it's in our back yard, kind of, and they're so young," said Audrey Spell, who was having lunch with her friend Hannah Allison.
"It's sad, it's awful it had to happen," said Allison.
Kiersten Yow, 12, was attacked by a shark Sunday afternoon near the Ocean Crest Pier at Oak Island. She lost part of her arm and had a leg injury. About 90 minutes later a 16 year old Colorado boy was attacked a couple of miles away, and also lost an arm.
"It's close to home and very rare that that would happen anyway, and two of them at one time and a lot of people vacation there," said waitress Kristal Davis.
Neighbors in the neighborhood where the Yow family lives said they wanted to respect the family’s wishes for privacy.
So did Randolph County School officials, who confirmed the girl went to Braxton Craven Middle School.
Mayor Bert Lance-Stone spoke for many in the community.
“My heart just went out to the family, I just can't imagine what they're all experiencing going through this trauma," said Lance-Stone.
Despite what happened, the folks I've talked to here say they do plan on returning to the North Carolina coast.
"I don't think it'll keep me from going to the beach, but it might make me a little more cautious,’’ said Davis.
"We're still going to go, we'll just be keeping a lookout, of course," said Allison.
And folks will be keeping up with the news during what doctor say will be a lengthy recovery.
"I just pray that she will make a full recovery, and I know the community supports that as well," said Lance-Stone.