8-foot shark attacks Florida man swimming near fishing line Victim suffers visible wounds to upper body and chest area
This Aug. 1, 2018, aerial photo made available by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. The beach earned the first spot of top U.S beaches according to Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman. The beach was chosen in part because of its sugar-white sand and its clear, emerald-green water. (Running Man Pictures/Courtesy of Florida Department of Environmental Protection via AP) (Uncredited, RunningManPictures.net)
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. – A shark bit a Florida man who was swimming near a fishing line 40 yards from the shore.
The South Walton Fire District said in a news release posted on Facebook that the man had visible wounds to the upper body and chest area and was taken to a local hospital, where he is expected to recover.
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Firefighters said the shark was apparently heading for the fishing line Thursday off Santa Rosa Beach, and possibly mistook the man for bait.
The fire district flew double red flags to warn other swimmers in the area. The shark is believed to be of 7 to 8 feet (2 meters) in length.
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