Three swimmers were injured in separate shark attacks off the Florida Panhandle on Friday, June 7, 2024, leading to temporary beach closures and heightened caution among beachgoers.
The first incident occurred around 1:20 PM at Watersound Beach in Walton County. A 45-year-old woman, swimming with her husband beyond the sandbar, was bitten by a shark. The attack caused significant trauma to her midsection and led to the amputation of part of her left arm. South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford described her condition as critical, and she was airlifted to HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.
Just 90 minutes later and about four miles down the beach, two teenage girls, aged 15 and 17, were attacked while swimming in waist-deep water near Sandy Shores Court at Seacrest Beach. The 15-year-old girl sustained significant injuries to her upper leg and hand, while the 17-year-old girl suffered minor injuries to her foot. Both were taken to local hospitals, with one girl in critical condition at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital and the other treated at Ascension Bay Medical Center in Panama City Beach.
“This is unusual in every aspect, from having three victims to the specific location,” stated Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. “Our focus is on responding, controlling, and mitigating the situation as best as we can.”
In response to the attacks, authorities patrolled the waters with boats and warned swimmers of shark dangers. Red and purple flags were raised to indicate high-hazard conditions and the presence of dangerous marine life, respectively. Officials temporarily closed the beaches, reopening them the next day, warning beachgoers to exercise caution.
The last shark attack in Walton County was in 2021, and the last fatal attack occurred in 2005. Experts suggested that small fish traveling in schools near the shore may have attracted sharks. Additionally, the timing of the attacks in the middle of the afternoon was unusual, as sharks typically feed early in the morning and at dusk.
Despite the rarity of shark attacks, with only 69 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2022, the recent incidents in the Florida Panhandle have raised concerns. Beachgoers are advised to be aware of their surroundings and understand the meaning of beach flags.
Sheriff Adkinson emphasized the importance of vigilance: “This anomaly has caused a lot of chaos and concern. We encourage everyone to be situationally aware and behave appropriately when in the water.”
The affected beaches in Walton and Bay counties reopened with yellow flags, indicating moderate surf and currents. Swimmers were urged to use extreme caution.
