An employee with the Naval Support Activity in Panama City, Florida, was hospitalized following a shark attack on Monday morning.
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The attack first occurred around 11:45 a.m. on Monday morning and the individual was taken to the hospital by emergency services, according to an initial statement from the Naval Support Activity.
Tristan Oliveria, a commanding officer, later said the employee was swimming in the water with a colleague during his lunch break when the attack happened.
“First and foremost, our prayers and thoughts go out to the family, and we want to send our appreciation to the first responders who rendered initial aid and made sure that the victim was properly and expeditiously taken to HCA Gulf Coast Hospital,” Oliveria told NBC affiliate in Panama City WJHG.
He suffered injuries on both of his arms, Oliveria said. The employee was not identified but WJHG reported that he was in his late 20s.
The man was rushed into surgery after the incident and was in critical condition, according to WJHG.
A short video of the incident was shared online showing a man in the water screaming for help near the marina.
It appeared in the video that the shark was right next to the man as a dorsal fin could be seen above the water just before he went under the surface.
