Florida man in critical condition after shark attack
A man in East Florida is in critical condition after suffering a serious shark bite on Friday, resulting in significant blood loss, according to authorities.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit discovered the man on a boat, where he was found bleeding heavily from a severe injury to his forearm.
Responding swiftly, a deputy boarded the vessel and applied a tourniquet to stem the bleeding, as reported by the sheriff’s office.
An official then took control of the boat and transported the man to a boat ramp, where local fire rescue personnel were prepared for his arrival.
The victim was airlifted to a hospital and remains in critical condition, with expectations for recovery, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
The incident occurred on the east coast of Florida while the man was aboard a boat, officials stated.
This event follows two other shark attacks earlier in June on the Gulf Coast of Florida, which injured three swimmers. One of the victims, a woman in Walton County in northwest Florida, underwent partial arm amputation and sustained critical injuries to her hip, according to officials.
At another beach just miles away and on the same day, two teenage girls were attacked while in the water.
One of the girls suffered “significant injuries to the upper leg and one hand” while the other had minor injuries on one of her feet, officials said.
Shark attacks are more common in Florida than in most parts of the world.
In 2023, Florida had 16 unprovoked shark bit incidents, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File.
That makes up 44% of the US total and 23% of the worldwide total.
There were no fatalities from shark attacks last year in the state.
There are around 70 to100 shark attacks every year worldwide, which kill about five people, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File.
