Surfer Bitten by Shark at Popular Florida Beach
A routine morning surf session took a dramatic turn when a 38-year-old surfer from South Carolina had a face-to-face encounter with a shark at New Smyrna beach, east of Orlando, Florida. The incident occurred around 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, leaving the surfer with a bite to the right side of his face, just above his cheek.
Officials from Volusia Beach Safety quickly confirmed the incident, although they didn’t specify the type of shark involved. Fortunately, the victim’s injuries were non-life-threatening, and he was promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Shark Encounters on the Rise
This unfortunate event is the latest in a series of shark encounters at New Smyrna Beach. Over the Labor Day weekend, two other individuals also had close encounters with these ocean predators.
A 37-year-old woman from Apopka was bitten on the right foot while wading in the shallow waters of Ponce Inlet. She was playing in waist-deep water at the time but couldn’t identify the shark responsible for the bite.
The second holiday incident involved a man in his 30s, who suffered a bite to his left hand near the Ponce Inlet Jetty. Remarkably, he declined medical assistance at the scene and transported himself to the hospital.
While shark encounters can be alarming, it’s essential to remember that such incidents are relatively rare, and beach safety measures are in place to minimize risks.
Stay safe while enjoying the beach, and remember to follow local safety guidelines.
Note: Fox News Digital’s Pilar Arias contributed to this report.