Florida woman recovering after shark bite in Intracoastal Waterway off Fort Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Florida woman is recovering after suffering an apparent shark bite in the Intracoastal Waterway off Fort Lauderdale.

Broward Health Medical Center officials said 22-year-old Jessica Vaughn was resting comfortably Monday after undergoing a two-hour surgery a day earlier.

Doctors say Vaughn sustained puncture wounds, as well as an open wound with muscle damage. No blood vessels or nerves were damaged. She is expected to be in a splint for several weeks.

Officials say Vaughn was swimming from a boat to an inner tube Sunday when she felt like she was punched in the leg. Vaughn was struck in the face by the fin of what was thought to be a shark.

Friends pulled her back into the boat, and Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue met them at a nearby dock.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles