A girl was injured after an apparent shark bite in the water off Boca Grande on Wednesday.
A good Samaritan who was working nearby said that when they helped pull the girl from the water, her hand was gone. The group quickly grabbed some shirts to help wrap up her injuries.
The incident occurred in the water near the 2200 block of Shore Lane. The Boca Grande Fire chief confirmed that the injuries were consistent with a shark bite, although no shark was seen in the water when responders arrived around noon.
The chief did not disclose the victim's age or the extent of their injuries out of respect for the family, but noted that the injuries were severe enough to require helicopter transport to a Tampa hospital.
"There have been three, but they were spread out over quite a bit of time," said Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser III, talking about previous shark bites. "When you get a call like that, you always hope for the best and prepare for the worst, so to speak."
Beachgoers are advised to remain vigilant while in the water. This incident is not the first shark attack in the area, and authorities are working to gather more information about the victim and any witnesses to the event.
This is a developing story.
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