Fisherman critically injured in Florida shark attack near Jacksonville
A man was fishing on the east coast of Florida when a shark attacked him. The shark bit him on the forearm, causing the fisherman to lose a significant amount of blood and barely survive the predator's attack. A helicopter took the man to the hospital, where he was fighting for his life. His condition is listed as critical.
The man was fishing on Friday near the port of Fernandina, north of Jacksonville, Florida. According to Nassau County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Alicia Tarancon, officers from the marine police unit found the 40-year-old in a very serious condition.
The shark bit him on the forearm, which caused the man to lose a significant amount of blood.
Acting swiftly, a deputy boarded the vessel and applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. The deputy then piloted the boat to the Dee Dee Bartels boat ramp, where Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue was waiting, according to social media posts from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.
The man was transported by helicopter to a local hospital. His condition is listed as critical, but doctors believe he will recover.
Sharks off the coast. Are attacks on people becoming more frequent?
According to the government agency responsible for environmental protection in Florida - the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the highest shark activity is recorded from April to October.
Yet shark bites still remain very rare. Humans are 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning in Florida than to be bitten by a shark, according to the agency.
Experts believe that the number of shark attacks is increasing because the number of tourists is also increasing. According to the agency, less than 1% of shark attacks are fatal.
