Surfer Bitten by Shark at New Smyrna Beach

Apr 18, 2002

The Associated Press

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A shark bit a Volusia County surfer in the foot Thursday morning.

Nolan Sutliff of Port Orange was listed in good condition at Bert Fish Medical Center. A hospital spokeswoman said that Sutliff was scheduled for surgery to repair tendons in his left foot.

Authorities said Sutliff, 28, was surfing near the south jetty at Ponce de Leon Inlet some 20 yards offshore when he started screaming for help.

Marc Latore, a nearby surfer, was leaving the water when he saw Sutliff paddling in the surf, then heard screams.

"I ran into the water and helped him out," Latore said. "He was bleeding badly and in pain."

Last year, 20 of Florida's 37 reported shark attacks were in the waters near the jetty.

There are no plans to close the beach, said Capt. Rob Horster, with Volusia County Beach Patrol.

"It's that time of year," Horster said. "We know the sharks are there and we know they bite."

There were 62 unprovoked shark attacks reported in the United States last year. Three were fatal, one each off Florida, North Carolina and Virginia.

AP-ES-04-18-02 1523EDT

This story can be found at : http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGATZK9070D.html

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