Shark Attacks and Shark Attack Related Incidents News Articles on Shark Bites

19th shark bite reported in New Smyrna Beach

Staff Report

A 19-year-old New Smyrna Beach resident and off-duty lifeguard became the 19th shark bite victim in Volusia County this year.

Thomas Gold, a regular surfer, was bitten shortly after noon Thursday. The cut to his ankle was superficial and only required minor bandaging, said Capt. Scott Petersohn.

"He basically walked off. And, of anyone, he knew exactly what he was getting himself into," Petersohn said. "We put out purple flags (warning about the potential for dangerous marine life) and warn people, but they still go out near the jetty for the best waves on the East Coast."

Sharks chase migrating pods of baitfish in the spring and fall, Petersohn said, and people get in the way. The pods tend to be larger in the fall than the spring, he added.

"If these injuries weren't caused by sharks, they wouldn't be noteworthy," Petersohn said.

A cut from barnacles can be as bad as most of the area shark bites, but no one talks about them, he said. Bone breaks from falls are worse.

"If these were life-threatening injuries, we'd close the beach in this area, but they aren't," Petersohn said.


http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJ ... 082908.htm

Shark bites another surfer in Volusia County

Walter Pacheco | Sentinel Staff Writer
1:57 PM EDT, August 28, 2008

A shark bit another surfer today at a popular Volusia County beach, officials said.

Volusia County Beach Patrol spokesman Scott Petersohn said a 19-year-old New Smyrna Beach resident was attacked by a shark near the inlet.

"He was bitten in the left foot and it was a superficial injury," Petersohn said.

The victim, whose name was not released, was treated at the scene and left the beach with a friend, Petersohn said.

Petersohn said this is the 19th shark attack this year. The record for Volusia County was 22 bites in 2001.

Authorities said a 26-year-old surfer was bitten by a shark Wednesday in the same area as today's attack.

Beach Patrol officials said the man was sitting on his surfboard in murky waters when a shark bit his lower left leg. The injuries were not life-threatening.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc ... 3408.story

Thomas Gold a New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Florida, USA off duty lifeguard attacked by shark while surfing. Tag


Off-Duty Lifeguard Bitten In Shark Attack


Teen Was Surfing At Time Of Attack

POSTED: 1:54 pm EDT August 28, 2008
UPDATED: 2:03 pm EDT August 28, 2008

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- An off-duty 19-year-old lifeguard was bitten on the foot Thursday by a shark in the waters off New Smyrna Beach, officials said.

Thomas Gold was surfing when he was bitten on his left foot, said Scott Petersohn of Volusia County Beach Patrol.

Gold suffered minor injuries and was treated on the beach, Petersohn said.

The incident took place in the same area where a shark attack occurred on Wednesday, Petersohn said.

Gold has worked as a lifeguard with Beach Patrol since the beginning of summer, Petersohn said.

The bite marks the 19th shark attack in Volusia County in 2008.

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