Horror moments after Florida surfer takes to waters in 'shark bite capital of the world'
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 around 3pm on Sunday 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.
'I never saw the shark, but it bit really forcefully. It felt like electricity.'
Bender was rushed to a nearby hospital and is now in recovery, his friends said.
Despite the gruesome photos of his savaged arm, his friends dispelled rumors circulating on social media claiming his hand had been completely bitten off.
'Our good friend and fellow waterman @Matt_Bender was bit by a shark today while surfing in New Smyrna,' they shared on Facebook.
'Contrary to what's said in THIS video clip that's circulating, his hand was NOT bitten off – he's doing good considering, but he was injured and needs our support and prayers right now.'
'Matt is a strong, godly man and part of our surf family - so we're asking all our Raw Surf friends and fans to lift him up in prayer tonight. Let's cover him in love and healing energy as he begins to recover,' the post continued.
'Stay safe out there, y'all. NSB has always had its share of shark encounters, and today was a heavy reminder.'
Despite the traumatic incident, Bender said he will be back out in the waters as soon as he recovers.
'For some reason, I got to take a little break, but I'll be back out there,' he said.
In July 2024, New Smyrna Beach was named America's deadliest beach.
The Florida beach beat nine others to win the undesirable crown, with researchers at California-based Simmrin Law using three main factors to determine the result: hurricanes, surf zone fatalities and shark attacks.
Experts warned that the coastline's popularity among surfers and a lack of visibility can make visitors extremely vulnerable.
Officials in New Smyrna recorded nearly 400 beach rescues in just a matter of days due to high rip currents and crowds that year.
The beauty spot has also been dubbed 'shark bite capital' of the world.
There have been a shocking three attacks since July 4, 2024, alone - and a separate incident at nearby Daytona Beach where a 14-year-old boy visiting from Missouri was bitten on his foot.
Yet despite this, the beach's most fatal danger is reportedly hurricanes.
'While shark attacks often grab headlines, Florida's beaches rank so high due to the ever-present hurricane risk,' explained lawyer Michael Simmrin.
Just last month, a seasoned surfer off the Florida coast was abruptly knocked off his board when a shark suddenly launched out of the ocean, and struck him in the head.
Darren Kaye, 51, of Winter Park, was surfing off the coast of New Smyrna Beach, staying alert after spotting sharks near the shore and witnessing several recent attacks at the popular surf spot, WFTV 9 News reported.
Though he kept a close eye on the water, Kaye never thought to look to the air - until, in a split second, a spinner shark burst out from underneath the surface and headbutted him off his board.
'I have a scar on the side of my elbow from being hit by a car and that's what it felt like,' Kaye told WFTV.
'It felt like getting hit by a car. It was really strong and powerful,' he added. 'They're all muscle, you know.'
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