Georgia Boy Attacked by Shark in Florida

A 12-year-old Georgia boy is recovering from what police call “significant” injuries following a shark attack at Fernandina Beach Sunday afternoon. “The shark was not seen but the bite pattern was approximately 4 inches in diameter”. He saw the shark and began punching it as it moved closer and bit him a second time.

The boy’s father, Joshua Bitner of Sparks, stated he saw a Four-foot-long shark with a black-tipped dorsal fin thrashing within the water near his son.

He was treated by paramedics for significant open cuts at the scene then taken to UF Health for more treatment.

According to Volusia County Beach Safety officers, the surfer, whose name was not released on Sunday, sustained minor lacerations from the incident.

A recent federal study shows a record number of sharks swimming off the coast from Florida to North Carolina.

Last month a 10-year-old girl was bitten by a shark in Jacksonville Beach.