Shark Attack in Miami Injures Swimmer Exiting Water

A shark attacked a swimmer on a Miami beach Sunday afternoon, biting both of his legs as he tried to get off the beach after a warning was issued.

The unnamed beachgoer was able to get out of the water on his own after being bitten by what was thought to be a 4- to 5-foot bull shark, and was taken to a local hospital, according to CNN. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokeswoman Erika Benitez said the man’s injuries were not life-threatening.

"Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Ocean Rescue lifeguards became aware of the shark lurking in the water," Benitez said, according to CNN. "Immediately, the lifeguards alerted people in the water by blowing their whistles, and gesturing for everyone to get out of the water."

Matt Sparling, a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue lifeguard, said, "In my 20 years as a lifeguard, this is the first time a person has been bitten here at Haulover Beach, and possibly the first for Miami-Dade County," CNN reported.

Sparling reminded beachgoers to follow safety precautions while swimming, including being aware of their surroundings, swimming near manned lifeguard towers and listening to warnings from lifeguards, CNN reported.

Donovan Cecil, a witness to the attack, told WPLG that it "went straight toward" the man as he was trying to get out of the water and bit him. The man then finished getting out of the water and walked over to lifeguards with blood streaming down his legs.

The Sun-Sentinel reported that the attack on the popular "clothing-optional" beach followed the usual pattern of taking place near shore, being from a species that has bitten people previously, and that the shark backed off right after the bite.

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