Three women are recovering after being attacked by sharks in Walton County, Florida. The incidents, which took place June 7, 2024, have left the local community shaken and authorities on high alert.
The first attack occurred at approximately 1:20 p.m. A Elisabeth Foley, 45, was swimming near a sandbar off Watersound Beach with her husband when she was bitten. Initial reports suggested she was beyond the second sandbar, which is quite far from the beach. Foley sustained severe injuries to her midsection, bottom, and lost her left hand. Her husband assisted her out of the water, and she was treated on the scene before being transported to HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in critical condition.
About 90 minutes later, another attack was reported near Seacrest Beach, roughly four miles from the first location. Lulu Gribbin, 15, (pictured) and McCray Faust, 17, were both playing in waist-deep water on a sandbar when one of them was critically injured by a shark. McCray was attacked first when the shark grabbed her left hand and right leg. The shark then bite Gribbin on the foot. A man grabbed McCray’s arm and with the help of another person got her to shore.
Thankfully, several vacation doctors were on the beach and assisted with first-aid. McCray was airlifted to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital where her left hand and right leg were amputated above the knee. Gribben was taken to Ascension Bay Medical Center and is in stable condition.
A video circulating online shows the aftermath of one of the attacks, with blood visible in the water as bystanders help the victim to shore.
Authorities suspect a single bull shark is responsible for both attacks. Bull sharks are known for their aggressive behavior and tendency to make multiple strikes. These predators typically hunt in deeper waters, and the areas between sandbars can be deep enough for their ambush tactics.
The approximate locations have been Marked on the 2024 Shark Attack Map.
Shark attacks are rare in the Walton area.
The last reported shark attack in the area was in 2021 at Grayton Beach State Park. A 14-year-old was bitten near a baited fishing line about 40 yards off the shore. The teen sustained upper body and chest wounds from an estimated 7 to 8-foot shark but survived.
A Fisherman was bitten by a shark in 2014. Terrell Moore was bait fishing in waist-deep water around 75-feet off shore on the western end of Okaloosa Island when he was bitten by a shark.
Caitlyn Taylor, 17, was bitten by a shark in Destin, Florida in 2017.
The most recent fatal shark attack in the area occurred in 2005 when 14-year-old Jamie Daigle was killed by a shark while boogie boarding 250 yards off Sandestin Beach. Despite the efforts of rescuers who fought off the shark, Daigle succumbed to severe injuries to her lower extremities.
In 2015, a similar series of attacks occurred off North Carolina, where two teenagers (Kiersten Yow, Hunter Treschel) lost arms to sharks in separate incidents on the same day. Additionally, last year in Mexico, two swimmers were attacked within minutes of each other, resulting in one fatality.
Unusual occurrences in the local marine environment, such as recent sightings of orcas in the Gulf and the increase in popularity of shark fishing, could suggest changes in water conditions affecting shark behavior. However, the simplest explanation remains that sharks inhabit the ocean, and their presence can lead to such unfortunate encounters.
As authorities investigate further, the community is urged to exercise caution. Swimming near lifeguards and staying close to shore are recommended safety measures.
More shark safety tips can be found on the Shark Attack Prevention page.
