Surf instructor, 18, describes exactly how it felt to be attacked by shark that tried to eat him
Sam Hollis, 18, was surfing on Friday off the coast of New Smyrna Beach, a Florida beach infamous for its frequent shark bites, when he says the predator suddenly latched onto his foot and dragged him about 10 to 15 feet.
Graphic images revealed the extent of his gruesome injuries from his hospital bed as he recovers.
The young surfer, who started when he was just a kid and is now working as a surf instructor, will undergo surgery after the terrifying encounter but is expected to make a full recovery.
He described to Fox35 the feeling of when he was first bit by the shark that 'came out of nowhere.'
Hollis said it felt hot when the shark first clamped down on his foot, like a dog with a toy in his mouth.
'It felt clamped and then it kind of felt hot because of the teeth,' Hollis told the outlet from his hospital bed.
'And then it just kind of started pulling. It's almost like, um, a dog with a toy in its mouth going like, you know, like that.'
Sam Hollis, 18, (pictured) was surfing on Friday off the coast of New Smyrna Beach, a Florida beach infamous for its frequent shark bites, when he says a shark suddenly latched onto his foot and dragged him about 10 to 15 feet
Graphic images reveal the extent of his gruesome injuries from his hospital bed as he recovers
'I was kicking at it after I realized it had me in its mouth. I was like, 'Yeah, get this thing away from me' he added.
Earlier this month, a Florida surfer almost lost his arm moments entering the water in the same beach after he was attacked by a shark.
Dramatic video captured the moment Matt Bender, 40, of Orlando, was bandaged up as blood gushed from his limb.
The surfer was riding the waves in the afternoon when he was mauled by the shark in New Smyrna Beach.
The video, shared by Instagram user @theother_mazdagirl, shows the chaotic moments after the attack as beachgoers rushed to help.
Blood can be seen on Bender's arm as his hand appears to be hanging on by a string as a fellow surfers wrap it in towels and attempt to calm him down.
'I felt it clamp down like a bear trap out of nowhere,' he told Fox affiliate WOFL–TV.
He said it felt like 'electricity' when the shark bit into his right forearm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Hulk Hogan promotes new business venture in final TV appearance before death
Showing now | Culture 00:36 Hulk Hogan was in good spirits in his final TV appearance in May as he appeared on Fox & Friends to promote his latest business venture. Hogan, who WWE confirmed today has died aged 71, was a guest on the show alongside long-time friend and business partner Eric Bischoff to discuss the launch of a new freestyle wrestling organisation, 'Real American Freestyle'. The wrestling legend, styled in his iconic late '90s-era bleach blonde handlebar moustache and black dyed beard 'Hollywood Hogan' look, had fun with the hosts by delivering one of his signature unscripted promos to camera. Medics were called to Hogan's home in Clearwater, Florida this morning according to TMZ, after he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
American wrestling star Hulk Hogan dies aged 71
American wrestling star Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71. Hogan – whose real name was Terry Bollea – was a leading figure in wrestling during the 1980s and won six WWE Championships during his career. He faced names including Andre the Giant and Randy Savage and enjoyed a career in the media, featuring in films and television shows. His death was confirmed by the WWE, who posted a statement on X saying: 'WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. 'One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. 'WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans.' Hogan headlined the first Wrestlemania in 1985 and faced The Rock, aka Dwayne Johnson, during the event in 2002. His last WWE match was against Randy Orton at SummerSlam in 2006. Hogan's friend and fellow former professional wrestler, Ric Flair, wrote on X: 'I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @HulkHogan! Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. 'An incredible athlete, talent, friend, and father!'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Joey Lawrence reveals how he won back wife Samantha Cope after her divorce filing and THOSE affair rumors
Joey Lawrence shed light into his reconciliation with his wife Samantha Cope, five months after she filed for divorce in 2024. When asked about his decision to repair his marriage, the Melissa and Joey star, 49, urged others not to 'give up' without a fight. 'I think it's too easy,' he explained of why they got back together. 'As much you don't want to take an easy way out, or you think this will be the fix—it's not always the case. I just didn't want to do that. And she didn't either.' Ultimately, he said they both came to the realization: 'Wait a minute. There's something so special here.' 'Things take a lot of work and a lot of dedication and reworking and retooling,' the father-of-three continued. 'That's life, though.' Lawrence went on to stress: 'That's life, though. As brothers, with your parents, with friends, in business, that's it. Everything takes so much work. Whatever it is, just don't give up, because you never know.' Last August, it was revealed that Cope had filed for divorce from Lawrence. She requested that both she and her estranged husband not receive any spousal support. She cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split, and also asked for full custody of their daughter. Cope stated in documents obtained by Us Weekly that she will allow Dylan to stay with Joey two nights a week when she turns three. But in regards to Joey having extended visits with their daughter, Samantha stated that she wants to wait until Dylan is 'older and can consent to such visits.' Not long after she filed, Lawrence was accused of having an affair with his co-star and fellow actress, Melina Alves. The pair are set to appear in the upcoming film, Socked In For Christmas. In documents obtained by TMZ, Melina's estranged husband, Edward Rider - who filed for divorce in July - claimed that he discovered Alves and Lawrence were having an affair earlier this year in March. The affair allegedly took place in California as well as 'at various other times and places,' Rider claimed. At the time, a source told People that Lawrence 'love-bombed' Alves - which was something that he also did with Cope. 'Joey met Melina Alves on the set of their movie, where she was a producer,' the insider explained. Melina is also the writer and took on the role of Addy in the upcoming holiday flick,' the insider claimed. They also alleged he 'continued to date Melina even after Samantha found out about it and confronted him.' The source also expressed that Cope had wanted to attend marriage counseling, but Joey 'fooled their counselor' and would still 'get ready for dates with Melina while Sam watched, bawling her eyes out.' Cope and Lawrence first crossed paths in 2020 while on set of the Lifetime movie titled, My Husband's Secret Brother. The former couple became engaged in 2021, and said 'I do' the following year in 2022 during a ceremony held at the Temecula Creek Inn in California. At the time, Cope told People that her courtship with Lawrence was speedy: 'From day one, it was such a safe place to be myself. Two weeks in, I was like, "I will be with you forever."' She added, 'When you meet the right person, if you're lucky enough, it cuts to the chase so quick. I have somebody who is like-minded and has the same love language, and we communicate the same way. That's super important. And I am so thankful.' In January 2023, the couple welcomed their daughter, Dylan Rose, to the world. The Blossom actor was also previously married to Michelle Vella from 2002 through 2005. He later tied the knot with Chandie Yawn-Nelson in 2005 but the pair's divorce was finalized in 2022. They share daughters Charleston, 18, and Liberty, 14.
