Originally posted Wed, 2009-11-11 20:19
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An 18-year-old surfer's right leg was a mistaken target for a 4-foot shark this afternoon in the surf near the South Jetty, the Volusia County Beach Patrol reported.
The unidentified Lake Mary teen was treated on scene by paramedics, but refused transport to the hospital for stitches in favor of a ride from friends for medical care, said Beach Patrol spokesman Capt. Scott Petersohn.
The surfer was the eighth shark-bite victim of the year.
He was among several hundred surfers who took advantage of the swollen surf on the Veteran's Day holiday that had tell-tale signs of shark infested waters, the murky color of the surf, plenty of baitfish as evidenced by countless birds.
Petersohn said the bite was bound to happen with "all the signs of mistaken identity" wih baitfish the desired food of the sharks and the birds.