Daytona Beach Shores, Florida — A Georgia man is recovering after suffering a shark bite to his foot and ankle while trying to protect his pregnant fiancée during a frightening encounter off the coast of Florida. The attack happened just hours before the start of this year’s Shark Week, leaving the expectant father facing surgery and months of recovery.
Dad-to-Be Prioritized His Pregnant Fiancée During the Attack
According to Volusia County Beach Safety, the incident occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday near the Dunlawton Beach Approach in Daytona Beach Shores.
Officials said the man was standing in waist-deep water when a shark estimated to be about 4 feet long bit his left foot and ankle.
Emergency responders treated him at the beach before transporting him to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.vThe victim was later identified as Jacorey High, a resident of Henry County, Georgia.
Speaking after the attack, High said his immediate concern was not his own injury but getting his pregnant fiancée safely away from the shark.
“I realized right away it was a shark because of the way it bit down on my foot, but I was more worried about getting my fiancée out of the water.”
Shark Continued Chasing Him as He Tried to Escape
High said the frightening encounter did not end after the initial bite. According to his account, the shark continued pursuing him as he attempted to reach shore.
He said the animal came back toward him and appeared to lunge at his arm, forcing him to push it away before continuing his escape.
“Then it came up to try to get my arm. So I had to push it away from me. I ran, and it tried to get my other leg.”
High described the shark as gray on top and estimated its size by saying it was roughly as tall as the distance from his waist to his feet.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, he was able to make it back to shore safely.
Surgery and a Long Recovery Ahead
High said the full extent of his injuries did not immediately register because of the adrenaline from the attack.
“I didn’t really feel it until I got to the hospital, when they started giving me medicine for it.”
Doctors later performed surgery on his injured foot, and High said he expects the recovery process could take about three months.
As he looks ahead, he hopes the injury will not have lasting effects that could keep him from returning to work.
Shark Experts Urge Beachgoers to Stay Alert
The incident comes as marine experts continue reminding beach visitors to remain aware of changing ocean conditions during the busy summer season.
Although shark sightings have increased along several U.S. coastlines, specialists emphasize that actual shark bites remain extremely uncommon.
Marine biologist Mike Heithaus of Florida International University said people should always pay attention to local safety advice and follow instructions from lifeguards.
He also recommended avoiding murky water, staying away from large schools of fish, and keeping clear of areas where people are actively fishing, as those conditions may increase the likelihood of shark encounters.
While attacks like this attract widespread attention, experts stress that millions of people safely enjoy U.S. beaches every year without encountering sharks.
What do you think? Would an experience like this make you think twice before swimming in the ocean, or do you believe shark attacks are simply too rare to change your beach plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
