(CTN News) – A man is in critical condition after suffering a severe shark bite on the east coast of Florida. The incident occurred on Friday, June 28, when the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit responded to a distress call about an injured man on a boat.
Upon reaching the scene, deputies found the man with a critical injury – a severe bite to his right forearm that was causing significant blood loss.
Acting quickly, a deputy boarded the vessel and applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. An official then took control of the boat and transported the victim to a nearby boat ramp, where Fernandina Fire Rescue was waiting to provide further medical assistance.
The injured man was then airlifted to a hospital and remains in critical condition, though authorities are optimistic about his recovery .
This incident comes shortly after two separate shark attacks on Florida’s Gulf Coast earlier this month. In one case, a woman in Walton County suffered an arm amputation and critical injuries to her hip after being bitten.
Teenage Girls Injured in Separate Shark Attack
In another attack, two teenage girls were injured, one sustaining substantial injuries to her upper leg and hand, while the other had minor foot injuries.
Shark attacks, while rare, are more common in Florida than in most other regions globally.
In 2023, the state recorded 16 unprovoked shark bite incidents, accounting for 44% of the total in the US and 23% worldwide. Fortunately, there were no fatalities from shark attacks in Florida last year.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has emphasized that the rise in shark bites is more linked to increased human presence in coastal waters rather than a surge in shark populations or behavior.
They advise beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings and educated on shark biology and behavior to make informed decisions about swimming.
While the risk of shark attacks remains low, with individuals in Florida more likely to be struck by lightning than bitten by a shark, the recent incidents serve as a reminder to exercise caution and heed the advice of local authorities when enjoying Florida’s coastal waters.