Teenage boy critically injured in shark attack 2nd attack in 3 days in Florida

post-gazette ^ | June 28, 2005 | Bill Kaczor

[phoenix_004]

A boy fishing in waist-deep water yesterday was bitten and critically injured in the second shark attack on a teenager along the Florida Panhandle in three days.

Craig A. Hutto, 16, of Lebanon, Tenn., was taken to Bay Medical Center in Panama City, where his leg was amputated. He was listed in critical condition but was expected to recover, said hospital spokeswoman Christa Hild.

The boy was attacked off Cape San Blas, a popular vacation destination about 80 miles southeast of the Destin area, where Jamie Marie Daigle, 14, of Gonzales, La., was killed by a shark Saturday.

The boy was fishing with two friends when the shark bit him in the right thigh, nearly severing his leg, Gulf County Sheriff's Capt. Bobby Plair said.

The three then tried to wrestle the shark off the boy, hitting it in the nose several times. The teen was pulled ashore by his friends, and a doctor who happened to be nearby began treatment before the boy was taken to the hospital, Plair said.

"It got the main arteries in the right leg," Plair said, adding that the boy lost a large amount of blood. The shark was about 6 to 8 feet long, Plair said, citing witnesses.

Gulf County has no lifeguards on any of its beaches, he said. Officials closed the county's beaches until late this morning.

Erich Ritter, chief scientist for the global shark attack file at the Shark Research Institute of Princeton University, said the girl was probably attacked by a 6-foot bull shark, based on measurements of the bite wound. "There's not even a remote chance that this is the same shark," Ritter said of yesterday's attack on the boy.

[poobear]

If people would just be more careful. There are certain times of the year where currents and water temps push bait fish towards the shoreline (and migration as well). Downturns of cooler water from winter with the upturn of deeper water can also cause the bait fish to come within feet of shoreline. Predators (including sharks) feed in frenzies during this time. If you are uncertain when this is, the birds are usually a dead give away. Get out of the water!

[Tempest]

I think that these prehistoric creatures should've become extinct a long time ago.

[Robert357]

As the Navy dive master who taught the SCUBA class I took several decades ago told us, "once you get your gear on and set foot in the salt water, you become part of the food-chain."

It is always good advice to remember that there are situations where we can become part of the food chain. Another piece of advice we were given is to be very very careful when spear fishing as the fish we catch might just attract a much larger fish to the area for a meal.

I suspect that the boy fishing, probably attracted the shark either through the bait/lure he was using and/or fish he had caught.

It is truly sad that the boy was hurt and a blessing that the doctor was nearby to stop the bleeding and save the boy's life.

[T.L.Sink]

Yes, I found it hard to believe myself but according to the
National Geographic when you consider not only the mainland coast but the scores of islands that stretch from the Georgia border south to 90 miles from Havana and up the Gulf of Mexico to Alabama it's a record land/sea exposure. By the way, that 16 year old from out of state
was standing in chest-high surf with live bait on his person and fishing with live shrimp! Sharks have been known to detect specific odors in the water from a mile away. They can only see about 50' but can sense movement and the slightest vibrations as far away as 1000' from an object.

[null and void]

Amazing! Thanks, this is why I love FR!

[TrailofTears]

When i was younger and a shark would attack someone we would go out and have a shark killing. Every shark that could be caught or speared would be killed and displayed. Today we comment on it, close the beaches for a few hours, and then get bit again.

Back to the good old days of killing every shark that comes close to the shores. Where were all those good floridians with conceal carry permits. Shoot the stinking things when they are that close to the shore. Kill each and every one of them.

[ReaganCowboy]

Noticed your screen name. I too have ancestors removed on the trail of tears, hence my tagline.

Funny thing is that the Creeks on my Dad's side of the family who fought against Jackson got to stay in Alabama; Jackson admired their bravery. The ones that fought for his federal forces, even those that fought against the Seminoles, were removed. Sixth great grandfather died on the Trail of Tears...

[KittyKares]

Shoot the stinking things when they are that close to the shore. Kill each and every one of them.

I wonder myself why we don't. What on earth are they good for?