SCARED – 7 September 2008 -- Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia – surfer scared

John Morgan, 51, said a large shark became entangled in his surfboard leash and dragged him for about 50 metres like a "powerful jet ski", about 300 metres offshore of Byron Bay, NSW, Australia. He was not injured in the incident but said he was “freaked” out.

The incident occurred around midday on Sunday 7 September 2008.

"I had just come off a wave when I saw a large swirl of water," Morgan told the Northern Star newspaper.

"I was then suddenly hauled backwards ... like I was riding behind a powerful jet ski."

Morgan said he laid down on his longboard as the shark, which he estimated was about three metres long, dragged him about 50 metres.

"I think the shark was as scared as I was,” he told media.

Sources:

Sydney Morning Herald

INJURED – 7 September 2008 – Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida, US – 2 surfers attacked

Two surfers were bitten a shark or shark almost simultaneously ay Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida, US around noon on Sunday 7 September.

A 43-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy were surfing about 200 feet away from each other when they were bitten. The surfers, who did not know each other, were catching waves in the area between Beach Street and the jetty rocks. They each suffered "very minor" puncture wounds on one foot and were treated by Beach Patrol at the scene.

Beach Patrol Captain Scott Petersohn said: "It's just a weird coincidence. One of the surfers asked for help at a lifeguard tower. A Beach Patrol truck was called in, and while officers were on their way to the tower, they spotted another surfer on the beach bleeding from his foot and thought it was the victim they were originally called to treat.”

No other details were reported.

Sources:
News Journal Online

INJURED – 2 September 2008 (reported) – Lundy Island, near Devon, UK – angler attacked

In a rather strange story, angler Stephen Perkins, 52, was bitten by a shark that he had just caught while he was holding it to pose for a photograph. The Blue shark sunk its teeth into his forearm causing deep puncture wounds.

He was flown to North Devon District Hospital and underwent extensive reconstructive surgery on his arm.

Perkins told media: “We don't harm the sharks when we hook them. We just take a picture and put them back in the water but the one I got was pretty lively and put his jaw around my wrist then let go.”

Sources:
Daily Mail

INJURED – 26 August 2008 -- New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US – surfer attacked

Alexander Zgura was sitting on his board in the surf near the jetty on the New Smyrna Beach side of Ponce de Leon Inlet just before 11 am when a shark grabbed him by the lower left leg.

The shark was about six feet long according to Zgura.

According to beach officials Zgura appeared to suffer two bites between the knee and ankle causing about 13 to 15 separate lacerations, which would have required stitches. However, he declined transport to Bert Fish Medical Center, saying he would go by private vehicle.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
News Journal Online

INJURED – 24 August 2008 – New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US – surfer attacked

According to a brief report from Fox News – a shark bit 20-year-old Jacob Shoup’s left foot about 3 pm Sunday 24 August 2008 while he was swimming out to catch a wave, his surfboard in tow.

Shoup suffered four lacerations to his foot and instep. His friends took him to a Bert Fish Medical Center for treatment. Lifeguards said he was expected to be OK.

Sources:

Fox News

INJURED – 20 August 2008 – Cape Coral, Florida, US -- swimmer attacked

Jack Miller, 47, says he was bitten by a shark on the forearm while swimming with his son near the Sanibel moorings, near Cape Coral, Florida, US. The incident happened around 2.45pm on Wednesday, 20 August 2008.

The report said he did not seek medical attention for the three lacerations on his forearm.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
News Press