Nine-year-old boy attacked by shark needs 80 stitches
Post by David Cozzan.
A nine-year old boy who survived a terrifying shark attack while surfing in Florida needed a total of 80 stitches to his wounds.
According to WPBF.com, Sebastian Cozzan was surfing at John D MacArthur State Park when he was attacked as his mother, Diana watched helplessly from the shoreline. She told the news service that her son had been surfing since he learned to swim, and she'd had no reservations about allowing him to go surfing on March 21, the day of the attack.
But as she he watched from the beach she knew within seconds something was wrong.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Sebastian was around 20 feet offshore when the shark attacked.
Diana ran into the water but she Sebastian said he had already had things under control.
"I just kicked the shark inside the mouth and he just got hurt I think," the brave 9-year-old said.
The shark retreated and Sebastian escaped from the water.
He was rushed to hospital with several bite marks on his right foot.
Sebastian is now recovering in his North Palm Beach home and looking forward to surfing again, reports the Daytona Beach News Journal.
Sebastian's father, David Cozzan was bitten by a shark while surfing in the same area two decades ago.
According to officials, there have been several recent reports of shark bites in Palm Beach County.
Sharks, especially spinner sharks, regularly come close to shore this time of year following the bait fish that emerge from inlets in Port St. Lucie as well as Jupiter and other Palm Beach County beaches, reports the Palm Beach Post.
Related stories
Diver fends off shark in Caribbean (video)
Tourist killed by great white shark while swimming in Cape Town
It's behind you! Diver almost sucked into whale shark's huge mouth
Surfer dies after arm bitten off in Australia shark attack
