Shark bites swimmer at Grayton Beach State Park in case of 'mistaken indentity'
Special to the Northwest Florida Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK | Northwest Florida Daily News
GRAYTON BEACH — A young adult suffered a shark bite to the chest while swimming at Grayton Beach State Park on Thursday, according to a news release from the South Walton Fire District.
SWFD Beach Safety and Advanced Life Support (ALS) Units responded to park about about 2:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 report of a young adult suffering from a shark bite wound.
Bites are rare: Shark attacks decrease worldwide; is COVID/climate change to blame?
Shark tracker: OCEARCH map shows 9 great white sharks pinging in the Gulf of Mexico
SWFD’s lifeguard stationed at Tower 22 made initial contact with the victim, assessed the upper body and chest injuries, then continued to provide care until ALS arrived. Rescuers reported that the victim was in stable condition before being taken to a local medical facility for further treatment.
SWFD Beach Safety Director David Vaughan has spoken to the victim and family and determined this instance was a case of “mistaken identity,” the release said.
According to witnesses, the victim was swimming about 40 yards from shore when a shark 7 to 8 feet long approached a nearby fishing line. In a moment of confusion, the shark mistakenly bit the swimmer and then swam away.
https://eu.nwfdailynews.com
06/17/2021 - Male 14 yr - Florida
06/17/2021 - Male 14 yr - Florida
We have another tool we are building at https://sharkattacks.net