Shark Attacks in Walton County Leave Three Hospitalized

A series of shark attacks in Walton County, Florida, on Friday left three individuals hospitalized, with one woman in critical condition. The incidents occurred between Miramar Beach and Panama City Beach, prompting safety warnings in the area.

The first attack, which transpired around 1:20 p.m. on Friday, involved a 45-year-old woman swimming beyond the first sandbar near Founders Land in Watersound Beach. The second incident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. near Inlet Beach, where two teenage girls were swimming inside the first sandbar.

The 45-year-old woman sustained severe injuries, leading to the loss of her lower left arm. She was airlifted to HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in critical condition. One of the teenage girls was also airlifted to Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola in critical condition, while the other girl was taken to Ascension Bay Medical Center in Panama City Beach in stable condition.

Following the shark attacks, the South Walton Fire District raised double red flags, indicating hazardous water conditions. However, as of Saturday morning, the flags were changed to single red and purple, signifying possible dangers due to marine life.

Neighboring Bay County also implemented precautions after the incidents, with both Walton County and Bay County advisories remaining in effect. The Florida Museum of Natural History reported these to be the first shark-related incidents in Florida in 2024.

According to the International Shark Attack File, Florida recorded the most unprovoked shark bites in 2023, with 36 confirmed cases. The report highlighted that while the number of incidents in Florida decreased slightly compared to previous years, the state still leads in shark-related incidents.