The Keys experienced another recorded shark bite on Thursday afternoon, this time in Marathon.
According to a statement released by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a 20-year-old Miami-Dade County spear fisherman was airlifted via Trauma Star to Jackson South Medical Center in Miami at approximately 3 p.m. on May 18. The victim was reportedly bitten in the leg by a shark while spearfishing with two others in the waters off Marathon.
The Seven Mile Bridge closed in both directions for approximately 45 minutes to allow the air ambulance to land. The man was brought to shore at the Sunset Grille & Raw Bar by a private vessel before being airlifted to the mainland.
A report on his condition was not immediately available.
The bite is the second reported incident in the Keys in the month of May. On May 5, 22-year-old Ethan Wilder was bitten in the foot and ankle by a shark while spearfishing near Islamorada’s Davis Reef.
Airlifted to Jackson South by Trauma Star, Wilder later told the Weekly he’s “doing good” and that he was “98% sure” his injuries were due to a bite from a bull shark.
Keys Weekly will update this story as additional information becomes available.
