A man is recovering from a possible shark bite at a Florida beach on Easter Sunday.
The incident happened about 5:30 p.m. in Jacksonville Beach near the 30th Avenue South access point.
Max Ervanian, Volunteer Lifesaving Corps captain, told ActionNewsJax that the man was bitten on the leg and is expected to survive after being taken to a local hospital by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. The Jacksonville Beach Fire Department was at the scene, as well.
Ervanian said they’re referring to the incident as a "possible shark bite" because a lifeguard did not witness the bite and couldn’t confirm a shark was responsible for the injury.
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham said the man was from out of town.
“I’m surprised; that’s crazy,” said local surfer Kaya Olszewski. “We heard sirens and we were really confused because we had never seen the Coast Guard come down for anything medical – especially on the beach.”
While investigators haven't confirmed whether it was a shark attack, ActionNewsJax took a closer look at shark attack numbers in the Jacksonville area through the years.
The University of Florida’s International Shark File tracks confirmed unprovoked shark attacks dating back to 1882.
St. Johns County ranks fourth with 42 confirmed attacks, and Duval County ranks fifth with 40.
Olszewski said she’s never really feared a possible shark encounter while she’s out surfing, but that may have changed today.
“Now that it has happened, I might be a little more aware or a little bit more fearful when I go out into the water,” Olszewski said. “I hope he’s OK.”
There were no closures at the beach after the bite.
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