Overview
- A civilian employee at Naval Support Activity Panama City was attacked while snorkeling with a colleague during a lunch break and was taken to HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital in critical condition after emergency surgery.
- The man suffered severe injuries to both arms and bystanders and first responders rendered aid at the scene before he was rushed to the hospital.
- A bystander cellphone video and a released 911 call showing the encounter have circulated online and helped shape the public account of the incident.
- The Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and NOAA have opened an investigation and officials have not yet identified the species involved.
- The attack follows another recent Panhandle bite and comes during a seasonal inshore movement of sharks, prompting discussion of stronger beach and base warnings and proposed wireless alert measures for shark attacks.