11-year-old bit by shark at Huguenot Park

An 11-year-old girl needs surgery after she was bitten by a shark while swimming Saturday with her cousin at Huguenot Park, according to family.

Family told Action News Jax the girl was in waist-deep water around 5:45 p.m. when a shark bit her on her back, arm and hand.

A nurse who was at the beach nearby helped the family cover the girl's wounds as her uncle flagged down a patrol truck.

The victim was taken to UF Health Jacksonville by ambulance and spent nine hours in the trauma unit.

She has five teeth marks on her back and a large laceration that severed a tendon in her left arm, her mom said. She also got stitches on her hand and fingers, according to family.

Family said she is expected to have surgery sometime this week.

Despite her injuries, the family said she is in high spirits. She gave the first responders high fives with her uninjured hand, according to family.

She is at home until an orthopedic surgeon can operate on her.

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