NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A 19-year-old Sanford man was bitten by a shark Sunday night off New Smyrna Beach, the first shark attack in Volusia County in 2019, according to officials.
Mathew Cornell was injured in the incident, which happened around 7:45 p.m. near the Flagler Avenue beach approach.
According to beach officials, Cornell was wading in waist-deep water when he was bitten on the right calf.
Cornell was treated for lacerations at the beach and then drove himself to a hospital, officials said.
The animal was not seen so it's unclear what type of shark attacked Cornell, beach officials said.
Surf instructor Drake Hickman said sharks go into shallow water to feed at night.
"They bite it and they let go. You don't want to be out there by yourself at night," Hickman said.
No other details have been released.
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