‘It was just my card:’ Man gets 11 stitches in foot after getting bit by shark at New Smyrna Beach

Officials say man fell off surfboard near New Smyrna Beach Jetty

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A 28-year-old man from Daytona Beach was bitten by a shark while surfing at New Smyrna Beach, according to Volusia County Beach Safety.

According to officials, the man was surfing next to the New Smyrna Beach Jetty Sunday morning when he fell off his board and was bitten on his left foot by what is believed to have been a shark.

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The man, Pat Clark, said he just finished a wave and was getting back on his board when he felt a sudden pain. He said he got out and saw blood.

“I’ve been surfing for 16 years and I’ve always thought about it. I told a million people, ‘Oh you won’t get bit, you’re fine, come out surfing,’ but I guess it was just my card,” he said.

Volusia County Beach Safety said the man’s friend drove him to the hospital. Clark said lifeguards on the beach helped wrap his foot before heading to the hospital.

He received 11 stitches on his food and he said doctors believe, based on the bite marks, the shark was about 4-5 feet long.

This comes days after a teen was hospitalized with serious injuries after a 9-foot shark attacked them at Keaton Beach.

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About the Author:

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

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