A 38-year-old surfers from South Carolina had a close encounter with a shark on Tuesday morning, September 12, at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, a location known for frequent shark encounters.

Mark Sumersett was bitten just before 8 am at the beach’s inlet, an area notorious for shark-related incidents. After the attack, he was swiftly taken to the Halifax Health Trauma Center. 

Fortunately, he was released on the same day, after receiving 20 stitches to close his wounds.

According to veteran surfer Ron Robinson, who witnessed the incident, the shark bit Sumersett on the right side of his cheek, between his ear and eye, as he exited the water after catching a wave. 

Robinson explained that such incidents often occur when surfers fall in shallow water, inadvertently startling nearby sharks, which react defensively.

Aerial footage captured later in the day revealed several sharks in the water where the incident took place. Surprisingly, several surfers continued to ride the waves not far from the scene.

The jetty at New Smyrna Beach is known for producing excellent surfing conditions and attracting schools of bait fish, which, in turn, draw sharks. Locals and experts agree that most shark bites result from mistaken identity, with sharks confusing swimmers and surfers for their natural prey.