The waters off Walton County, Florida, have been declared off-limits following consecutive shark bite incidents in the county on Friday.
Both incidents unfolded in Walton County, situated in the Florida Panhandle. Officials are uncertain about the distance of the attacks from the shore, as mentioned by McKenzie McClintock, the South Walton Fire District PIO.
The two incidents occurred approximately 4 miles apart within a span of 90 minutes, as confirmed by South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford. In total, there were three victims.
Crawford emphasized the rarity of two bite incidents happening in such proximity during a single afternoon, as he conveyed during an evening news briefing.
The first “reported shark incident” involved a 45-year-old woman, injured around 1:20 p.m. in Watersound, near Founders Way in Watersound Beach, as reported by Crawford and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman sustained severe injuries to her midsection and pelvic area, along with the amputation of her left lower arm, as detailed by Crawford. She was transported to a medical center in critical condition.
Subsequent to the initial attack, nearby beaches raised double red flags to signal the danger, as stated by the sheriff’s office. Additionally, the Gulf in the Walton County vicinity was closed to the public as a precaution.
Shortly after, at 2:56 p.m., the sheriff’s office and fire department responded to a second shark incident at Sandy Shores Court area off Seacrest Beach in Walton County. In this instance, there were two victims, both females aged between 15 and 17.
According to Crawford, they were among a group of friends situated just inside the first sandbar, a location mirroring the first attack. The first victim suffered significant injuries to both upper and lower extremities and was transported to a trauma center in critical condition.
The second victim sustained flesh wounds to her right foot and is currently in stable condition, as per Crawford.
Sheriff Mike Atkinson expressed optimism about the critical condition victims, citing prompt responses from citizens and first responders.
In response to the second attack, officials closed all waters in Walton County to the public.
McClintock stated that the species of shark responsible for the attacks is unknown, though sharks are common in these waters.
Officials anticipate reassessing the situation on Saturday before allowing people back into the water. They have also sought the expertise of Mote Marine, based in Sarasota, Florida, to investigate the dual attacks for any anomalies, though Atkinson expressed doubt regarding such findings.