Sharks bite 3 surfers at New Smyrna Beach

NEW SMRYNA BEACH, Fla. — Three surfers were bitten by sharks on New Smyrna Beach during a two-hour period, Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue said.

Of the three people who were bitten Sunday, one person had to undergo surgery, officials said.

The first shark bite happened at about 10:45 a.m. when a 43-year-old Longwood man was bitten on his lower leg near the ankle, Senior Capt. Tamra Marris said.

He was surfing just south of a jetty, she said.

The next shark bite was reported at about 11 a.m., when a 36-year-old Miami man was bitten on both hands while surfing in the same area, Marris said.

Photos: Sharks bite 3 surfers at New Smyrna Beach

The man uploaded photos of paramedics treating him to his Facebook account.

In the post, he said he was shaken up by the experience and was awaiting surgery.

Both men had received significant lacerations during the attacks and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Both were expected to survive their injuries.

At about 1 p.m., a 16-year-old New Smyrna Beach boy was bitten on his inner thigh while surfing, Marris said.

He had a minor laceration from the bite but didn’t need to be taken to the hospital.

Doug Watson, an experienced surfer from Sanford, said he wasn’t surprised to learn about the bites.

“So, there’s multiple sharks and tarpon and different sport fish that are feeding on the mullet run,” he said. “So, yeah, you run into them. You see them.”

Watson was cautious given the seasonal fish migration along the coast, but said Sunday’s trio of shark bites won’t keep him from hitting the waves.

“You’re going to see them,” he said. “It’s part of it. You just respect them.”