Three different people were bitten by a shark during three different attacks in under three hours at a Florida beach, local authorities have confirmed. The shark encounters occurred in the same general area at New Smyrna Beach Sunday, WFTVreported. All three victims suffered lacerations, though none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue officials told reporters the first attack took place at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time. A 43-year-old surfer was bitten on his lower leg and near his ankle, suffering "significant lacerations" that landed him in a nearby hospital for treatment. Just 15 minutes later, a 36-year-old man was bitten on both hands. The man, who was also surfing at the time of the encounter, was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive.
At approximately 1 p.m. local time, a 16-year-old boy was surfing in the same area of the beach when he was bitten on his inner thigh. As the laceration was considered to be minor, the boy was not transported to a medical facility. In a statement to NBC News Sunday evening, a spokesperson for the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue agency cautioned beach frequenters from entering any water that was above their knees.
States away, a spearfishing enthusiast in Santa Barbara caught his own encounter with a great white shark on camera last week. The footage, captured via GoPro, promptly chilled its way into the news cycle. Worried about what to do should a shark make its way into your ocean activities in the future? Peep some advice right here.
