Local

Man bitten in possible shark attack in Jacksonville Beach

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Action News Jax reporter Ryan Nelson has more on the story on FOX30 at 10.

A man is recovering from a possible shark bite in Jacksonville Beach on Easter Sunday. It happened at about 5:30 p.m. near the 30th Avenue South beach access point.

Max Ervanian, Volunteer Lifesaving Corps Captain, tells Action News Jax reporter Ryan Nelson the man was bitten on the leg and is expected to survive after being taken to a local hospital by JFRD. The Jacksonville Beach Fire Department was on scene as well.

Ervanian says they’re referring to the incident as a "possible shark bite" because a lifeguard did not witness the bite and couldn’t confirm a shark was responsible for the injury.

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham tells Nelson the man was from out of town.

“I’m surprised, that’s crazy,” said local surfer Kaya Olszewski. “We heard sirens and we were really confused because we had never seen the Coast Guard come down for anything medical. Especially on the beach.”

While investigators haven’t confirmed whether it was a shark attack, we took a closer look at shark attack numbers in our area through the years.

The University of Florida’s International Shark File tracks confirmed unprovoked shark attacks dating back to 1882.

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St. Johns County ranks fourth with 42 confirmed attacks and Duval County ranks fifth with 40.

Olszewski tells me she’s never really feared a possible shark encounter while she’s out surfing, but that may have changed today.

“Now that it has happened, I might be a little more aware or a little bit more fearful when I go out into the water,” Olszewski said. “I hope he’s OK!”

There were no closures at the beach after the bite.