VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A shark bit the foot of teenage boy from Missouri during his trip to the ocean at Daytona Beach Shores, according to Florida officials.
The victim was a 14-year-old boy from Nixa, Missouri, according to a spokesperson from the Volusia County Beach Ocean Rescue. He was rushed to a hospital after the shark bite, though his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Officials say the boy was in the water just before noon eastern time on Wednesday when a shark bit him in the left foot. This is the fourth shark bite reported in Volusia County this month. Additional details around Wednesday’s shark bite are limited.
Tammy Malphurs, interim director for Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, tells FOX 2 that the shark bites in Volusia County are often a case of mistaken identity.
Malphurs encourages anyone visiting the beach to know the location of lifeguard towers and communicate with lifeguards on ocean conditions. She also advises people to watch out for potential bait fish and rip currents.
Volusia County also has a smartphone app to track beach conditions with real-time information.