A 23-year-old beach goer was treated for a shark bite at a Boca Raton, Florida Hospital on Sunday — and the shark decided to come along for the ride.
Shark bite in Boca Raton: Woman taken to hospital with nurse shark attached to her arm https://t.co/AtBMyEBtEPpic.twitter.com/Jr6487VJJm
— Orlando Sentinel (@orlandosentinel) May 15, 2016
According to the Sun Sentinel, a small nurse shark bit into the swimmer’s arm and refused to let go. After dragging the shark out of the water, the animal died still attached to the woman’s arm.
The woman remained calm while paramedics used a splint board to stabilize the woman’s arm and the shark. Officials say she was transported to Boca Regional Hospital and was listed in stable condition.
Woman hospitalized after shark bite, shark refused to let go. #Bocaraton#florida#nurseshark@CBS12pic.twitter.com/KGjlA53awV
— Kathleen Walter (@KathleenWalter_) May 15, 2016
It’s not known how the swimmer came in contact with the shark, but nurse sharks are known for having strong jaws and small, sharp teeth. The Sun Sentinel reports that the sharks can grow up to 14 feet long.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
