Surfer Hospitalized After Shark Bite in New Smyrna Beach
VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, JUL 6 – Matt Bender, 40, underwent emergency surgery after a shark bit his arm at New Smyrna Beach, one of three shark bites recorded in Volusia County this year, officials said.
- Matthew Bender, a 40-year-old surfer from Winter Park, suffered a shark bite on his right forearm while catching waves at New Smyrna Beach on Sunday afternoon.
- The bite happened around 3 p.m. near the jetty during a busy holiday weekend; Volusia County has had eight confirmed bites this year, half the state's total.
- Following the attack, nearby surfers quickly improvised by using a surfboard leash to help stop the bleeding, while lifeguards administered prompt medical assistance before Bender was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.
- Bender described the shark clamping down like a bear trap and noted he never saw the shark, calling it a miracle he retained full hand use after surgery reconnecting muscles and nerves.
- New Smyrna Beach remains known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World,' and Bender plans to return to surfing after recovery, reflecting the community's resilience despite frequent shark encounters.
45 Articles
45 Articles
Shark latched on 'like a bear trap' on surfer's hand in world's bite capital
A shark latched onto an American surfer's arm "like a bear trap" in a notorious beach commonly regarded as the "shark bite capital of the world".Florida man, Matthew Bender, 40, felt the shark latch onto his arm "out of nowhere", when he was surfing at the popular, but infamously shark-prone water of New Smyrna Beach on Sunday.Volusia County Beach Safety confirmed that the shark had latched onto his arm.Bender spoke to WOFL-TV from his hospital …
Shark attack victim released from hospital, vows to surf again | News Channel 3-12
By Tony Atkins Click here for updates on this story NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida (WESH) — Just two days after surviving a shark attack, longtime surfer Matt Bender is back home — bandaged, recovering, and already thinking about his next wave. Bender, a veteran surfer of 27 years, was bitten while surfing off Florida’s East Coast on Sunday. He’s no stranger to sharks — he’s seen them in the water before and even shared waves with them. But this …
Shark attack victim released from hospital, vows to surf again
By Tony Atkins Click here for updates on this story NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida (WESH) — Just two days after surviving a shark attack, longtime surfer Matt Bender is back home — bandaged, recovering, and already thinking about his next wave. Bender, a veteran surfer of 27 years, was bitten while surfing off Florida’s East Coast on Sunday. He’s no stranger to sharks — he’s seen them in the water before and even shared waves with them. But this …
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