3 Injured In Shark Attacks At FL Beaches

WALTON COUNTY, FL — A 45-year-old woman and two teenage girls were victims in two separate shark attacks that caused at least one amputation, Friday at neighboring beaches in Walton County on the Florida Panhandle. The mother of one of the injured girls spoke out online.

First responders say the attacks happened at beaches about four miles apart within 90 minutes of each other.

The first attack happened around 1:15 p.m. at WaterSound Beach, where a 45-year-old woman was swimming with her husband past the first sandbar, in about waist-deep water.

The woman suffered bites to her midsection and pelvic area, and her left lower arm had to be amputated, South Walton Fire District Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said at a news conference.

She was treated and taken to a local fire station, where she was airlifted to a medical center. Crawford said the woman was in critical condition.

Two more people were injured in shark attacks over an hour later around 3 p.m. at Seacrest Beach. Crawford said the two people injured were between the ages of 15 and 17. The teens were identified by WFLA as Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust from Mountain Brook, Alabama. Gribbin suffered serious injuries to her upper leg and hand, while Faust had minor injuries to her foot and was later released from the hospital.

Officials believe that the same bull shark attacked the three people.

Gribbin underwent surgery after being flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, and her mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, said on the Caring Bridge site that her daughter's first words after surgery were, "I made it."

The girls were swimming with a group of friends inside the first sandbar when the attack occurred.

Gribbin was significantly injured to the upper leg and a hand, fire officials said.

Crawford said these injuries required tourniquets, and she was airlifted to a Pensacola trauma center in critical condition. He added the second teenager had flesh wounds to the foot and had to be taken to a hospital in stable condition.

"Once on the shore there were two doctors and two other young women, one of whom was a nurse, who were all surrounding Lulu. These individuals put tourniquets on Lulu's wounds, which I believe was crucial to saving Lulu's life," her mother wrote.

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"These type of incidents, while we had those in our history, they're highly unusual," Crawford said, "so it's extremely unusual for two to happen in the same afternoon within four miles of one another."

Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson noted the county's last shark attack was in 2021, which did not result in a fatality; however, a 2005 attack did end with a fatality.

Adkinson said the type of shark responsible for the attacks had not yet been determined Friday as there are several sharks in the waters capable of such bites.

"We know that we share the water with sharks," he said at the news conference. "We understand as tragic as this is, there are sharks in the water. We have to be careful. We have to be cognizant of that."

He noted to have three shark victims in a day is "exceedingly rare."

Both Adkinson and Crawford said they are in contact with experts, with at least one out of Sarasota County, to further learn about what may be occurring in the Walton County waters.

Crawford, who called the attacks unusual, said they were isolated incidents.

"Marine life is out there, and that's their environment," he said, "and when you go into their environment, unfortunately, as rare as these things are, these things can happen."

Adkinson said the attacks were an anomaly. He addressed statements being made regarding the attacks that he said are inaccurate and cruel.

"This is my home," he said. "I live here. That hurts my soul to see that because these people were hurt badly - life threatening, life altering - and I think we owe them some basic human dignity in the way we address this."

The attacks forced the temporary closure of the waters, which Commission Chairman Tony Anderson said came at a busy time.

Fire officials said this closure was symbolized with double red beach flags. Cautionary flags continued to be raised Saturday and Sunday in light of Friday's attacks.

As of late Monday morning, the beach flags in South Walton sat at yellow and purple. These flags indicate the presence of moderate surf hazards and dangerous marine life.

"Please respect the open water and all of the marine life that may be present at any time. We encourage everyone to be mindful of the surf hazards and swim to their abilities. Look out for each other, stay hydrated and have a safe day," fire officials said in a Facebook post.

Walton County has 26 miles of beaches, Crawford said. Changing the beach flags usually takes about an hour and a half.

Crawford reminded beachgoers to be vigilant, while Anderson praised the work and efforts of the first responders on scene of the attacks.

"When something like this happens, we have to jump on it immediately," Anderson said. " ... They are the best of the best, and I appreciate all they've done in this."

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Sunshine State is home to both harvestable and prohibited sharks.

Shark bites in Florida waters are "extremely unlikely," the commission said.

The commission offered the following tips for minimizing the odds of shark bites:

• Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual.
• Do not wander too far from shore-this isolates an individual and places him or her far away from assistance.
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active.
• Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating-a shark's ability to smell blood is acute.
• Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged. When light reflects off shiny jewelry, it resembles the sheen of fish scales.
• Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing-especially if there are signs of baitfishes or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on baitfishes, are good indicators of such activity.
• While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins does not indicate the absence of sharks-both often eat the same foods.
• Use extra caution when waters are murky.
• Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright colored clothing may draw a shark's attention.
• Refrain from excess splashing, as this may draw a shark's attention.
• Do not allow pets in the water: their erratic movements may draw a shark’s attention.
• Be careful when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs-these are favorite hangouts for sharks.
• Swim only in areas tended by lifeguards.
• Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted.
• Never harass a shark.