Florida: South Carolina Man Suffers Shark Bite on Face While Surfing

A day of surfing at a popular Florida beach took a terrifying turn when a South Carolina man suffered a shark bite to his face, according to authorities.

Officials from Volusia Beach Safety confirmed that Mark Sumsersett, a 38-year-old visitor from South Carolina and an enthusiastic surfer, experienced the harrowing incident at New Smyrna Beach, located east of Orlando, around 7:50 am on Tuesday, per Fox News.

Sumsersett, recalling the moment, likened the bite to the sensation of a "bear trap closing in" on him.

He bravely shared the graphic details of his ordeal, recounting that he was in the water, preparing to reposition himself on his surfboard, when he suddenly felt an intense pain on the right side of his face, just above his cheek. He was unable to spot the predator before the attack occurred.

Remarkably, the shark released its grip shortly after the initial bite, allowing Sumsersett to make his way back to the safety of the shore.

Reflecting on the experience, he described it as a "fight or flight situation," underscoring the adrenaline and instinctual response that kicked in during those tense moments.

South Carolina Man Survives Florida Shark Attack

Assistance was at hand for Mark Sumsersett, as a woman on the shore helped him swiftly call 911 and get the medical attention he needed, according to FOX35.

After the shocking encounter, he candidly expressed his disorientation, saying, "I was like, 'What do you do?' You don't know what to do when a shark bites you. This doesn't happen this often."

Sumsersett underwent a medical procedure that required nearly two dozen stitches to treat the wounds.

Remarkably, he was discharged from the hospital shortly after that. Grateful for escaping a potentially far graver outcome, he acknowledged that a scar or two might be the most enduring reminder of his encounter with the shark.

He humbly reflected, "God has a reason for me to be here. And that's to help other people on this earth. I'm just so grateful."

Volusia County Beach Safety Captain A.J. Miller provided context to the incident, noting that it marked the seventh reported shark bite in Volusia County for 2023.

He explained that this number aligns with their historical observations and emphasized that in most cases, sharks tend to bite people by accident, quickly realizing that they are not their intended prey and subsequently releasing their grip.

Across the United States, there have been 31 documented shark attacks this year, with sixteen occurring in Florida, three in Hawaii, six in New York, and two in South Carolina.

Notably, two of these incidents were provoked, but thankfully, none resulted in a fatality.

Sharks Don't Go After Humans, Researchers Say

Research findings emphasize that sharks typically do not intentionally target humans as part of their prey, The Daytona Beach News-Journal noted.

Among the more than 300 known species of sharks, only a small fraction, around a dozen, have been involved in documented human encounters.

The natural diet of sharks primarily consists of smaller fish and invertebrates. Some larger shark species may occasionally hunt larger marine animals like seals and sea lions.

In Florida, where shark sightings are relatively common, numerous other factors are more likely to pose a risk to individuals than shark encounters.

Most shark-human interactions occur because the shark's curiosity is piqued by splashing in the water or being startled by the presence of a swimmer or surfer crossing its path.

Meanwhile, some sharks may bite defensively to protect their territory, like a dog barking at people entering its yard.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Man bitten in face by shark at New Smyrna Beach in Florida - From Fox 35 Orlando