Florida Diver Seriously Injured In Possible Shark Attack

KEY BISCAYNE, FL — A Florida diver was seriously injured Saturday morning when he suffered a possible shark bite near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne.

"This morning at 7:58 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to a report of a diver who was possibly bitten off shore by a shark near Bill Baggs State Park," said the agency's Erika Benitez. The park is located at 1200 Crandon Blvd.

She said the injured diver was brought to shore by Good Samaritans. "This person was transported by a group of boaters to the park where Miami-Dade Fire Rescue then responded and later transported the injured patient as a trauma alert."

WPLG-TV showed video of the man being taken into Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.

"A trauma alert means that the patient had serious traumatic injuries due to the possible shark bite," Benitez explained. "This person was later transported by ground to the closest trauma center."

Watch as Benitez discusses the possible shark attack below courtesy of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue:

While shark attacks are rare, Benitez said there are precautions that beachgoers and divers can take to minimize the possibility of getting bitten by a shark.

"Always swim in a group," she said. "Sharks most often attack lone individuals. Try not to swim far from shore. Doing so will make it very difficult to get assistance in case of an emergency."

She also suggested that people avoid swimming at night when sharks tend to be most active. "Do not enter the water if you are bleeding," she added. "Sharks can quickly trace it back to its source."