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Woman has to have her arm amputated after shark attack on Florida’s Gulf Coast

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WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WVUE) – Beaches in Walton County, Florida, reopened Saturday (June 8) after three people were injured in two separate shark attacks within 90 minutes, according to the sheriff’s office.

In one of the attacks, the victim’s arm was amputated.

The sheriff’s office said Saturday morning that it would have a boat in the Gulf and monitor the shoreline throughout the day. Danger flags have been changed from double red to single red and purple, indicating dangerous water conditions and potentially dangerous marine life.

On Saturday, Panama City Beach police and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office conducted an aerial search where they noted a conspicuous presence of sharks, specifically bull sharks and a 14-foot hammerhead shark east of South County Highway in Santa Rosa Beach. However, they say sightings like this are not uncommon.

“We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf,” the sheriff’s office said. “Swimmers and beachgoers should exercise caution while swimming and be aware of their surroundings.”

On Friday afternoon (June 7), the waters were closed to the public after two shark attacks occurred about two hours apart on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Both incidents occurred close to each other between Destin and Panama City Beach. One occurred near Highway 30A and the second on a bay beach.

The first attack was reported around 1 p.m. near Watersound Way and Coopersmith. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said a 45-year-old woman suffered severe injuries to her midsection and pelvis and had to have her left forearm amputated. She was last listed in critical condition.

“Victim number one sustained significant injuries to an upper and lower extremity, both of which required the use of tourniquets. This victim was transported to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola via Okaloosa Med Flight in critical condition. Victim number two sustained lacerations to the right lower extremity and right foot. This victim was transported by fire department personnel to Ascension Bay Medical Center where he is reported to be in stable condition.”

A witness for X said the attack occurred about 70 metres away from him and his children, who were bodysurfing in the Gulf.

“A lot of blood in the water,” he described. “That’s not good.”

A second social media user is said to have taken pictures of a shark in the water around the same time.

The second attack was reported around 3:25 p.m. near Shoreline Drive. Officials said there were multiple reports of a teenager being injured.

According to a post from St. Luke’s Birmingham, two central Alabama girls, Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust, were seriously injured in the attack. The church says a community-wide prayer service for the two girls will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, in the gazebo.

According to authorities, the girls were in water about waist-deep just inside the first sandbank.

While the investigation continues, the body of water in Walton County has been closed to the public.

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