Chilling shark attack at Florida Navy base caught on camera
An employee at a Naval Warfare Center in Panama City, Florida, was mauled by shark on Monday in a disturbing attack that was captured on cellphone video.
The civilian employee, who has not been identified, was snorkeling with a colleague at the Naval Support Activity Panama City marina during his lunch break when the attack occurred shortly before noon, according to NSA Panama City Cmdr. Tristan Oliveria.
Video captured from a bystander’s cellphone shows the man’s desperate struggle with the predator as he screamed for help. In the footage, the shark’s fin can be seen breaking through the water and what appeared to blood surrounding them.
The shark severely injured both of his arms before bystanders were able to rescue him, the Naval station said.
“His arm is severed off?” a 911 operator asked in a call for help released by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s there, but it’s not,” the caller replied.
The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and is recovering from surgeries. Oliveria said no one else was injured.
“First and foremost, our prayers and thoughts go out to the family, and we want to send our appreciation to the first responders who rendered initial aid and made sure that the victim was properly and expeditiously taken to HCA Gulf Coast Hospital,” Oliveria told NBC affiliate WJHG of Panama City.
The attacks marked the second in the last few days in the Florida panhandle. A fisherman was bit by a shark on June 5 as he was trying to cut it loose from a line. Still, experts say that while shark sightings are common, attacks are exceedingly rare — rarer than being struck by lightning or mauled by a bear.
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