People swimming off Florida’s Gulf Coast are being told to watch out for sharks after three people were injured in two separate attacks in Walton County.
A woman who was bitten Friday afternoon near Watersound Beach suffered critical injuries to her abdomen and arm, South Walton Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said.
They had to amputate part of his arm, he added.
Less than two hours later, firefighters were called to another beach about four miles east of the first assault.
Two teenage girls were in waist-deep water with a group of friends when they were attacked, the South Walton Fire District said.
One of them had “significant injuries to his leg and hand.”
“For two of these incidents to occur on the same day is very unusual,” Crawford said.
The timing of the attacks, mid-afternoon, was also unusual, Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said.
A 14-foot hammerhead shark has been seen in the water. Photo: Walton County Sheriff’s Office
Police, firefighters and the state wildlife agency are patrolling the water.
A 14-foot hammerhead shark was spotted Saturday off Santa Rosa Beach, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said.
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This is “not uncommon,” he said, adding, “We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf. Swimmers and sunbathers should use caution when swimming and be aware of their surroundings.”
Small fish travel in schools near shore this time of year, and that may be a contributing factor to attacks, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said.
Photo: Walton County Sheriff’s Office
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Red and purple flags are used to warn swimmers.
“Purple flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life and red flags indicate high danger conditions,” the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said.
Last year there were 69 unprovoked shark bites worldwide, and 10 of them were fatal, according to the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida.
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