A 38-year-old surfer from South Carolina had a close encounter with a shark on Tuesday morning, September 12, at New Smyrna Beach in Florida, known for its frequent shark sightings.
The episode unfolded around 8 am near the beach’s inlet, an area with a notable history of shark incidents. Immediately after the incident, the injured man, Mark Sumersett, was transported to Halifax Health Trauma Center.
He was released later that day, after 20 or so stitches closed up his wounds.
Ron Robinson, a veteran surfer who witnessed the event, described the shark attacking Sumersett on the right side of his face, specifically between the ear and eye. A chunk was taken out of the right side, with bite marks on the lower left. This occurred as the surfer was exiting the water after riding a wave.
Robinson highlighted that such incidents often occur when surfers inadvertently venture into shallow waters, startling nearby sharks. In most cases, these creatures react defensively.
Later in the day, aerial footage revealed several sharks swimming near the incident’s location. Despite the morning’s events, many surfers still opted to surf in the vicinity.
New Smyrna Beach’s jetty is known for producing excellent surfing conditions and attracting schools of bait fish. These fish, in turn, draw sharks. Local residents and experts alike agree that most shark bites result from mistaken identity, where the sharks misinterpret swimmers or surfers as potential prey.