Shark bites Daytona man; third incident reported in New Smyrna Beach this year
Patricio G. BalonaA Daytona Beach man was bitten by a shark Sunday morning, making him the third shark bite victim in Volusia County this year.
The 28-year-old man was bitten while surfing in New Smyrna Beach around 11:43 a.m., said Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Capt. Alex Miller.
Miller said the shark bite was minor and the victim was treated at the scene and driven to the hospital by a friend.
The victim was surfing near the jetty when he fell off of his board and was bitten on the left foot, Miller said.
More:Second shark bite this year reported in New Smyrna Beach
More:Teen girl airlifted to TMH with 'serious injuries' after shark attack in Taylor County
More:16 shark bites reported in Volusia County in 2021. It's the second most in 20 years.
It's the third incident this year, all taking place in New Smyrna Beach.
The year's first shark bite was reported on March 9 when a New Jersey man was bitten, Ocean Rescue officials said.
The 21-year-old was bitten in the 2000 block of Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach while fishing in waist-deep water by a 5- or 6-foot black tip shark, according to Ocean Rescue Capt. Tamra Malphurs.
The visitor suffered bites to his left knee and calf, but was not transported by ambulance to the hospital, Malphurs said.
The second shark bite, also in New Smyrna Beach, occurred on March 13. In that incident, a 20-year-old Altamonte Springs man was bitten on his right foot while surfing in about 7 feet of water, beach officials said.
The victim's injuries were non-life-threatening and he was not transported by ambulance to the hospital, Ocean Rescue officials said.
Teen bitten on Florida's west coast
On June 30, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office said Addison Bethea, a 17-year-old girl from Perry, was bitten by a large shark while scalloping with her family near Grassy Island in Keaton Beach on the west coast of Florida.
Bethea was in water that was 5 feet deep when the shark bit her. Her brother reportedly beat the shark until the girl was free, according to reports.
Bethea was airlifted to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare where she underwent surgery, according to news reports.
On Monday, the hospital released a statement that said Bethea's right leg would have to be amputated just above the right knee, according to news reports.