Boy, 17, mauled in shark capital of the world after dozens of attacks and sightings shut down beaches across East Coast
A TEEN boy has suffered a possible shark bite in Florida, reports say.
The state, which is known as the shark capital of the world, has seen at least 13 attacks this year, data shows.
The boy, 17, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to
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Cape Canaveral is located around 60 miles from New Smyrna Beach – a resort that has been dubbed the shark capital of the world.
A spate of maulings has been reported across Florida in recent months.
Tasa Summers, 40, was on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida when she was attacked by a beast on July 16.
She told that she "didn't see anything in the water" before the shark attack.
Her injuries were not fatal or life-threatening.
Addison Bethea, 17, was forced to get her leg amputated after being savaged by a shark in June.
She was scalloping with her brother when the predator pounced.
And, mom-of-two Lindsay Bruns was left with a half-circle-shaped wound after she was also attacked in June.
Officials revealed that the woman didn’t suffer a shark bite and took herself to the hospital for treatment.
Surf City Fire Chief Allen Wilson told McClatchy News that spinner sharks aren’t aggressive.
Wilson said they hunt fish with their mouths open and can leap up to 20 feet out of the water.
Beachgoers were urged to get out of the water after the beast was detected.
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Fire crews in Ocean Beach warned swimmers should only venture into waist-deep waters.
Chief Ian Levine told CNN that people “should be aware of their surroundings”.
Long Island has been rocked by a series of shark attacks in recent weeks.
Donnelly managed to ride a wave that returned him to shore.
A man, 49, was bitten on the wrist and buttocks by a shark at Seaview Beach – hours after Donnelly was attacked.
John Mullins was mauled by a tiger shark on July 7.
He was participating in lifeguard training on Fire Island when the beast attacked.
The attack left John with foot injuries. He was taken to hospital where he received several stitches.
Meanwhile, another lifeguard Zach Gallo, was attacked on July 3 near Smith Point Beach.
He was participating in a training exercise when he was reportedly bitten in the chest and hand by the beast.
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He was then immediately rushed to the hospital, where he received stitches.
A 57-year-old man reportedly suffered a laceration on June 30 while swimming off Jones Beach.