TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida teen is recovering after she was bitten by a 9-foot shark while scalloping with her family.
According to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, deputies along with the Taylor County Fire & Rescue and Century Ambulance EMS were called out to Keaton Beach on Thursday after reports of a teen who was bitten by a shark.
TCSO said that when deputies arrived at the area it was confirmed that the teen was bitten by a shark that was about 9-feet long. However, they were unable to determine what kind of shark it was. According to TCSO, a family member jumped into the water during the attack and beat the shark until it let the teen go.
According to TCSO, a Florida teen was bitten by a 9-foot shark while scalloping, the teen and her brother were scalloping near Big Grass Island when the shark bit the girl. The water in the area is about 5-feet deep.
“Swimmers and scallopers are cautioned to be alert, vigilant, and practice shark safety. Some rules to follow are: never swim alone, do not enter the water near fishermen, avoid areas such as sandbars (where sharks like to congregate), do not swim near large schools of fish, and avoid erratic movements while in the water,” said TCSO.
The teen was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries, according to TCSO. No further information has been released.
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