Florida man speaks out about shark attack in Bahamas
Marlin Wakeman, 24, was working at a port in the Bahamas on April 26 when he lost his footing and fell into a “shark pit.” He was attacked by 20 sharks when he hit the water, but managed to escape. (Photo courtesy of WSVN)
Two back-to-back shark attacks in Florida have forced the closure of miles of pure white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
The back-to-back shark attacks happened in “very close proximity” Friday afternoon, according to a press release from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
“Early this afternoon we experienced two separate incidents, relatively close together, about four miles apart, within an hour and a half of each other,” said Fire Chief Ryan Crawford with the South Walton Fire Protection District.
Police officials did not say what type of shark was involved in the attack.
46-year-old man hospitalized after shark attack off California coast, beaches closed
Police rescue a shark attack victim from the beach in Walton County, Florida, on June 7, 2024. (Walton County Sheriff)
Walton County Fire and Rescue and the South Walton Fire Department responded to a report of a 45-year-old woman being attacked by a shark while enjoying the popular tourist spot at 1:20 p.m. on Friday.
Authorities said the woman and her husband had been swimming just beyond the sandbar when they were suddenly attacked.
She suffered “significant trauma to her torso and pelvic area and an amputation of her lower left arm,” Crawford said.
The South Walton Fire Department transported the victim by helicopter to a nearby trauma hospital, where officials said he was in “critical condition.”
Over the past decade, there were around 70-80 cases of indiscriminate shark bites each year around the world, but in 2022 there were just 57 cases. (Getty Images)
At 2:56 p.m., the Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced a second shark incident had occurred at Seacrest Creek Beach.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, two girls between the ages of 15 and 17 were attacked by the shark.
Florida has been named the shark attack capital of the world
Crawford said that similar to the first attack, the victims had been swimming near a sandbar in waist-deep water before they were attacked.
“Victim 1 suffered severe injuries to one lower extremity and one upper extremity,” Crawford said. [bites] A tourniquet had to be applied.”
She was taken by helicopter to a trauma center in Pensacola, Fla., where she remains in “critical condition,” according to authorities.
The second victim suffered a flash wound to the leg but was taken by ambulance in stable condition, Crawford said.
A shark swims underwater during a trip with scuba diving company Emerald Charters, May 18, 2022, off the coast of Jupiter Inlet, Florida, USA. (Reuters/Sam Wolff)
Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said both victims were “expected to survive” thanks to “continued care” from emergency personnel.
“One of the important things to recognize in a situation like this is the continuity of care,” Adkinson said at the press conference, “the seamless operation between the personnel of the South Walton Fire Department, the deputies from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Walton Air Rescue Team.”
“These two women are very professional so I think they have a good chance of winning,” he added.
A sandy path leading to the beach at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Walton County has closed off several miles of water in the Gulf of Mexico following a spate of shark attacks.
“Double red flags are currently in place on beaches in the surrounding area,” the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post. “The bay in Walton County where the incident occurred is currently closed to the public.”
Adkinson said he was in contact with local shark experts to discuss whether there was anything unusual about the attack.
“We know that these waters are home to sharks,” he said. “It’s a tragedy, but we know that there will always be sharks in these waters and that’s something we have to be very vigilant and aware of.”
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Walton County is located in Florida’s northwest panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico and is home to 26 miles of beautiful beaches.
Popular beaches in Walton County include Seagrove Beach, Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach State Park, Inlet Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, and Miramar Beach.
