A shocking video has emerged showing a shark attack on a fisherman at Everglades National Park in Florida - that subsequently resulted in him being pulled into the water.
The footage - shared with Local 10 by Michael Russo, a passenger on the boat during the traumatic attack - shows the fisherman reaching towards the water when a shark, leaps up and drags him into the water by his hand.
Amidst his friends' terrified screams, the man - who has been named only as 'Nick' in reports - grapples to get back on board, leaving a bloody handprint smeared on the boat. Nick, dressed in white, was apparently releasing a fish back into the water and washing his hands, Allyson Gantt, a spokesperson for the national park said.
The Miami Herald reports that the incident occurred at around 10:20AM on June 23.
Local media outlets reported that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue airlifted the man to a hospital on Friday following initial assistance from National Park Rangers at the scene.
The video can be see below (warning, some viewers may find the footage upsetting):In the wake of this alarming incident, wildlife officials are using the footage to drive home the message of exercising caution while fishing. A fishing guide shared the video on Instagram, warning, "PSA: please don't make the same mistake and please keep your hands and feet in the vessel."
The chilling video shows Russo - who later deleted his post - recounting the horrifying circumstances of his friend Nick's shark bite. He described it as one of the most terrifying experiences he's had on the water, as stated in a caption re-shared by fishing guide Mark Gore.
Detailing the incident, Russo explained: "After releasing a snook, Nick washed his hands in the water and was immediately bit by a large [lemon] shark." He emphasized the attack was "unprovoked," with no chum or blood in the water.
Yahoo reports that the species of shark in the video could be a bull shark.
Emphasizing the real danger present in the Everglades, Russo added: "The sharks are no joke... and the warnings about keeping your hands out of the water are not an exaggeration."
At the time of the report, the nature of the injuries sustained by Nick is unclear. Russo shared that Nick was swiftly taken to the dock and transported to Jackson South Medical Center via helicopter, where he was treated.
Fishing guide Gore's post also compiled comments from other fishing enthusiasts warning about the dangers of placing hands and feet in Florida's waters. Captain Mike Venezia warned: "I could show you a dozen places where there are packs of these lemon sharks lurking below... All it takes it 'two seconds' and a lapse of judgment to find yourself in a dangerous situation."
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