Shark Attacks Reported In South Carolina And Jacksonville, Florida


A 15-year-old boy suffered non-life threatening injuries when he was attacked by a shark in South Carolina waters on Thursday, just a day after a similar event transpired in Jacksonville, Florida.

Wednesday’s incident involved a young girl who has not been identified, according to ABC News. She was reportedly bitten by a three-foot-long shark off Jacksonville Beach, notably while in just two feet of water. Her run-in with the small shark left her with lacerations on her right leg, located around her knee, which were not considered life-threatening.

On Thursday, another shark attack took place up the coastline in South Carolina. As UPI notes, it involved a 15-year-old boy who also hasn’t been named. He was reportedly surfing near Murrells Inlet when he encountered a shark in water that was roughly chest-deep. The shark bit into his leg, and when the boy attempted to strike at the animal, it also injured his hand. While police have not cited the species of shark responsible for the incident, they did note that the boy was taken to a nearby hospital and that his injuries were also not considered to be life threatening.

The attacks come amid a summer that has seen a record number of shark incidents along the Carolina coastlines. As the Inquisitr has previously reported, North Carolina has reported upwards of eight shark bites this year, though typically only one or two are recorded in the region. When the incidents that have taken place in South Carolina are factored in, that number raises to 11 (not including Thursday’s bite).

While researchers have been at a loss to explain the statistical uptick in shark attacks, they do note that an increased number of beachgoers presents a greater opportunity for interactions. They have also cited warmer-than-average waters along the coastline, which are responsible for bringing the sharks northward earlier in the year than usual.

Though the attacks have been spread out over the region, several have been notable both for their severity and their proximity to one another. Earlier this summer, a 12-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy were both attacked within 90 minutes and two miles of each other. Though both of those victims lost limbs during their respective shark attacks, no incidents of comparable severity have been reported in South Carolina.

[Photo by Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images]

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