Shark Attack Florida: 3 swimmers injured in 2 separate shark attacks on Walton County, Florida beaches

WALTON COUNTY, FL — Three swimmers, including two teenagers, were attacked by sharks in two separate incidents while on beaches in Walton County, Florida, on Friday, authorities said.

A 45-year-old woman was swimming just past a sandbar with her husband at Watersound Beach when she was bitten by a shark around 1:20 p.m., South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford told reporters.

The unidentified woman suffered “significant trauma” to the middle of her body and part of her left arm had to be amputated, Crawford said. She was transported to HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in critical condition.

About 90 minutes later, near Seacrest Beach, just four miles from Watersound Beach, a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl were with a group of friends near the first sandbar in the waist-deep in water when they were injured by a shark, according to Crawford.

One victim was bitten by a shark and suffered “serious injuries” and was flown to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital in critical condition, Crawford said.

The second victim suffered bodily injuries to his foot and was transported to Ascension Bay Medical Center in stable condition.

Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr., told reporters that authorities ordered the beaches closed after the first incident, but that the order was not fully enforced in time before the teenagers are not attacked.

Officials also said the process of changing beach warning flags along the coastline would have taken about an hour and a half.

Sheriff Adkinson Jr. said the last shark attack in the county was in 2021 and the last shark-related death was in 2005.

“It’s an anomaly … from the fact that there are three victims to where this is happening,” the sheriff said. “All we can do is respond by controlling and mitigating what we can.”

Walton County authorities contacted ocean wildlife experts from Mote Marine in Pensacola, Fla., to help investigate the incident, Sheriff Adkinson Jr. said.

Walton County officials reopened beaches Saturday with additional patrols in the water and red and purple flags to warn swimmers.

“It is important to us that beach guests recognize and understand the risk posed by open waters, as it not only relates to the dangers of surfing, but also to marine life. We ask that you remain aware of the situation at all times. moment,” the South Walton Fire District said in a statement. statement.

The Bay County Sheriff's Office also announced a double red flag warning for its beaches Saturday and had more information about what might attract sharks.

“Sheriff Tommy Ford had a conversation with [the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] and learned that baitfish were schooling near shore at this time of year, which may have contributed to the attacks,” the office said in a statement.

Shark attacks in Florida weren't the only incidents reported Friday.

A 25-year-old woman was rushed to hospital after suffering a shark bite off the north coast of Oahu around 2 p.m. local time, according to Honolulu emergency services.

“EMS met the patient at the Haleiwa Small Craft Harbor, where she was brought ashore. EMS treated her multiple severe lacerations and transported her to the emergency room,” the agency said in a statement.

The condition of the unidentified victim was unknown Saturday afternoon.

ABC News' Erica Morris and Amanda Morris contributed to this report.