Current:Home > Invest2 swimmers bitten by sharks in separate incidents off same Florida beach-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
2 swimmers bitten by sharks in separate incidents off same Florida beach
View Date:2024-12-23 22:48:18
Two swimmers are recovering from minor injuries after they were bitten by sharks in separate incidents in Volusia County, Florida.
The attacks both took place on Ponce Inlet, a stretch of beach on a barrier island south of Daytona Beach.
In the first incident, a 37-year-old woman from Apopka, Florida, was bitten on her right foot, according to a news release from Volusia County Beach Safety. The woman did not see the shark that bit her, but was in waist-deep water. She was transported to a nearby hospital by Volusia County emergency services. Her injury was non-life-threatening, officials said.
The other person bitten was a 30-year-old man surfing near the Ponce Inlet Jetty. He was bitten on the left hand. Officials said the man refused care and drove himself to a hospital for treatment. His injury is also non-life-threatening.
Officials said they did not have any further information about the beachgoers' conditions because their injuries were non-life-threatening. Captain A.J. Miller, the logistics captain for Volusia County Beach Safety, said that there will not be an attempt to hunt and capture the sharks, and said that bites in the area are "normally accidental in nature."
"The shark is feeding on baitfish and grab a person (by) mistake, bite, release, and swim away," Miller said. "This is why we call them shark bites and not shark attacks."
In most cases when sharks bite humans, it's often a case of mistaken identity. Sharks may mistake people, especially those on surfboards, for animals like seals and sea lions. Shark bites of any kind are generally uncommon, with only 137 such incidents reported in 2021.
"If you put that into perspective as to how many people are in the water, how many sharks are in the water ... you really realize how unlikely it is that you're going to get bitten by a shark," Yannis Papastamatiou, a professor at Florida International University who studies shark behavior, told CBS News in 2021. "... It's just a numbers game. And the fact is, the relative probability is extremely low."
- In:
- Shark
- Oceans
- Sharks
- Shark Attack
- Florida
Kerry Breen is a news editor and reporter for CBS News. Her reporting focuses on current events, breaking news and substance use.
veryGood! (315)
Related
- World leaders aim to shape Earth's future at COP29 climate change summit
- US military says 5 crew members died when an aircraft crashed over the Mediterranean
- 2 arrests, dozens evacuated from apartment fire possibly caused by fireworks, authorities say
- Charity works to help military families whose relationships have been strained by service
- Oregon's Dan Lanning, Indiana's Curt Cignetti pocket big bonuses after Week 11 wins
- Pope Francis removes critic and firebrand Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland from diocese
- Former NFL Player D.J. Hayden Dead at 33 After Car Crash
- Must-Have Items That Will Make It Look Like A Professional Organized Your Closet
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
- He overcame leukemia, homelessness. Now this teen is getting a bachelor's in neuroscience.
Ranking
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- He overcame leukemia, homelessness. Now this teen is getting a bachelor's in neuroscience.
- 2 accused of running high-end brothel network in Massachusetts and Virginia are due in court
- GOP hopeful Chris Christie visits Israel, says the US must show solidarity in war against Hamas
- How Jersey Shore's Sammi Sweetheart Giancola's Fiancé Justin May Supports Her on IVF Journey
- How bad are things for Bill Belichick? Winners, losers from Patriots' loss to Colts
- Michigan vs. Penn State score: Wolverines dominate Nittany Lions without Jim Harbaugh
- US conducts airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria, retaliating for attacks on US troops
Recommendation
-
Disney Store's Black Friday Sale Just Started: Save an Extra 20% When You Shop Early
-
Jill Stein announces 2024 presidential bid as Green Party candidate
-
Does shaving make hair thicker? Experts weigh in on the common misconception.
-
Anti-mining protesters in Panama say road blockades will be suspended for 12 hours on Monday
-
Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 11
-
Greece’s opposition Syriza party splits as several prominent members defect
-
Jill Stein announces 2024 presidential bid as Green Party candidate
-
E-readers listen up! If you regret your choice, here's how to return an Audible book.