Teenager surfer fights off shark that attacked him in waters off Florida

  • WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES FEATURED BELOW
  • The 14-year-old boy from Vero Beach was in waters off New Smyrna Beach
  • He was bitten on Sunday morning and treated before going to the hospital
  • Had 'significant lacerations' after bite from four- or five-foot blacktip shark

A teenage surfer has been hospitalized and was forced to undergo surgery after being bitten on the left hand by a shark In the Atlantic Ocean off Florida's coast and sustaining serious injuries. 

The Volusia County Beach Patrol said the 14-year-old boy from Vero Beach was with four other surfers in the waters off of New Smyrna Beach when he was bitten on Sunday morning.

The boy suffered 'significant lacerations' from what was described as a four- or five-foot blacktip shark, according to authorities. 

A four- or five-foot blacktip shark bit a boy while he was surfing off New Smyrna Beach in Florida (stock photo)

A four- or five-foot blacktip shark bit a boy while he was surfing off New Smyrna Beach in Florida (stock photo)

The 14-year-old suffered 'significant lacerations' on his left hand and had to have surgery at the hospital 

The 14-year-old suffered 'significant lacerations' on his left hand and had to have surgery at the hospital 

His friends reported that he is in good spirits despite the nasty wound but no further information was released

His friends reported that he is in good spirits despite the nasty wound but no further information was released

The boy punched the shark before returning to shore, where he was given aid by a beach safety officer and taken to a hospital, patrol spokesman Captain Aaron Jenkins told the Orlando Sentinel.

He said the attack occurred about 100 yards offshore. 

The boy had surgery at Bert Fish Medical Center and he is recovering, according to WFTV

Cole Toomsoo, 12, is friends with the boy who got bit and was at the beach on Sunday morning.  

The boy punched the shark before returning to shore, where he was given aid by a beach safety officer

The boy punched the shark before returning to shore, where he was given aid by a beach safety officer

Toomsoo said: 'He was screaming for help. I was really scared.

'It just gets me scared to have one of my friends go through that.

'Now I know it can happen to anyone, no matter what.'

Further information on the boy's identity or condition has not been released. 

His friends reported that he is in good spirits despite the nasty wound.  

Another 14-year-old surfer was bitten on the leg at the same beach only two weeks ago and there have already been at least ten shark attacks in Volusia County this year.