Florida

‘Scared Me to Death': Shark Bites Georgia Woman Off Coast Near New Smyrna Beach

A 51-year-old Georgia woman is recovering after authorities say a shark bit her on the thigh as she swam off of Florida's Atlantic coast.

Melanie Lawson tells WESH-TV she had told her children not to go deeper than three feet as they swam off New Smyrna Beach on Wednesday. She says she felt something hit her, knocking her over in the water, and then felt the pain.

“I was kind of shocked because it was in such a shallow area. Scared me to death," Lawson told the station.

Lawson, who lives in Marietta north of Atlanta, was taken to a hospital for treatment. She says she'll go back in the ocean again, but added it will probably be a long time.

Lawson says she and her family are heading home Thursday.

Volusia County beach safety spokeswoman Tammy Marris says it's the second shark bite reported this year.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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