Editor's note: WCTV reported previously that the little girl had lost her leg. This was confirmed by the sheriff's department. She had surgery, and she is expected to live. This story has been updated.
Authorities said that a girl sustained serious injuries when she was attacked at the beach by a shark in Florida. This is a disturbing trend in Florida which accounts for almost 40% of all unprovoked shark bites around the world. Wayne Padgett, Taylor County Sheriff, said that the girl underwent surgery on Thursday and will be able to recover.
The attack took place at Keaton beach in northwestern Florida. According to a Taylor County Sheriff's Office news release, the girl was swimming in 5 feet of water near Grassy Island, which is just outside Keaton Beach when the shark bit her.
Officials claim that one of the girl's relatives jumped into the water to beat the shark until she was free.
According to the sheriff's office, the girl was taken to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare for treatment.
Sheriff Padgett said to WCTV, "It's a tragedy what's happened."
Officials claimed that it wasn't known what type of shark attacked the girl. However, witnesses reported it to be approximately nine feet in length.
The sheriff's office stated that swimmers and boaters should be vigilant, alert and practice shark safety. You should never swim alone. Avoid areas like sandbars, where sharks love to congregate, and don't swim near large schools or fish. Also, be sure to avoid making erratic movements in the water.
According to a January report, shark attacks rose around the globe in 2021 after three years of decline. The United States reported the highest number of shark attacks. Nearly 40% of all unprovoked bites were in Florida.
For decades, Florida has been the leader in unprovoked shark bitings in the United States and around the globe. Researchers believe that this trend will continue in 2021. Florida had 28 unprovoked shark bites in 2017, compared with 19 in the U.S., and 26 total outside the U.S. Florida had 28 cases last year. This represented 60% of all unprovoked bites in the United States and 38% worldwide.
