Shark attacks hit swimmers on Florida beaches: “Tragic day”

Two separate shark attacks rocked the waters of Walton County, Florida, on Friday, prompting authorities to close offshore access.

Ryan Crawford, chief of the South Walton Fire District, spoke about the “series of shark bites” during a press conference on Friday, noting that the two attacks occurred “relatively close to each other.”

The context

The attacks caused “devastating” injuries, Crawford said. Such incidents are “highly unusual,” Crawford added, and it is “extremely unusual” for two attacks to occur on the same day so close together.

What we know

The first attack occurred around 1:20 p.m. near Founders Lane in Watersound Beach, Crawford said. The victim was a 45-year-old woman who was swimming with her husband. She suffered “significant injuries” to her midsection and had to have her left forearm amputated. Crawford said she was in critical condition.

The second shark attack occurred around 2:56 p.m. near Seacrest Beach, about four miles east of the first attack. The victims were girls ages 15 to 17, Crawford said, and they were swimming in waist-deep water. One of the victims suffered “significant” injuries to her upper and lower extremities and was taken to a trauma hospital in critical condition. The other victim suffered lacerations to the right side of her lower extremity, Crawford said, and is in stable condition.

Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said the decision to close waters within “a few miles” of the attack sites was made Friday.

District officials are also speaking with experts to determine whether atypical circumstances triggered the attacks.

Views

This is a “tragic day,” said Tony Anderson, chairman of the Walton County Commissioners, during a press conference. “When something like this happens, we have to respond immediately,” Anderson added, thanking Crawford and Adkinson for “taking quick action on this situation.” He also noted that he supports the call to close the waters.

What’s next

Adkinson said during the press conference that the victims “had a chance” because of the cooperation between officers and local citizens.

The type of shark involved in the attacks was not immediately known, Crawford said. Nor is it immediately known Newsweek if both attacks were committed by the same shark.

Newsweek reached out to the South Walton Fire District via email Friday evening for further comment.