Las Vegas woman describing shark attack in Florida.
Share this @internewscast.com

A VISITOR was severely injured when a shark bit her during her inaugural visit to Florida.

Originating from Las Vegas, the woman had barely stepped into the water when she encountered the predator.

Las Vegas woman describing shark attack in Florida.
Emily Ross was mauled by a shark during her first-ever trip to FloridaCredit: KVVU-TV
Close-up of a woman's arm showing a shark bite wound.
She was snorkeling in waist-deep water when the shark attacked herCredit: KVVU-TV
Woman giving thumbs up from hospital bed after shark attack in Florida.
The attack left her with a wound the size of a barracuda biteCredit: KVVU-TV

This frightening incident occurred on May 27 in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, located just south of Pompano Beach.

Emily Ross was snorkeling in waist-deep water when she spotted the animal’s tail.

“I was just wandering around looking at the fish, and then I saw the tail of the shark,” she told Fox affiliate KVVU-TV.

“It came in so incredibly quick and grabbed onto me. I didn’t feel the bite, I just felt the pressure.”

Officials say the size of the wound was consistent with that of a barracuda bite, but the exact species has not been confirmed.

Ross said she saw a smaller shark with black tips, a type known to live in tropical coastal waters.

Blacktip sharks are commonly found in the part of Florida she was in, according to the Florida Museum.

Ross had traveled with her mother’s friend to mark the anniversary of her mother’s death.

It was her first time visiting the Sunshine State.

Underwater cameras in the area have shown a wide range of marine life, including coral reefs, manatees, barracudas, and sharks.

Shocking moment paddleboarders in ‘Jaws’ country come terrifyingly close to giant great white shark stalking waters

Despite the chaos, Ross managed to kick the shark away and rush back to shore.

Bleeding heavily, she called for help as beachgoers rushed to her aid.

Two people named Ivan and Kim, used a towel to create a tourniquet and stop the bleeding.

Emergency crews arrived and rushed Ross to a local trauma center.

Great White Sharks – the facts

Here’s what you need to know…

  • The great white shark is a species of the large mackerel shark
  • They’re typically found in the costal surface waters of all major oceans
  • Great whites are famous for their size
  • Females are bigger than males, growing up to 6.1 metres, or 20 feet, in length
  • At full maturity, a great white can weigh up to 1,905 kilograms, or 4,200 pounds
  • A 2014 study revealed that the lifespan of a great white shark is estimated at 70 years or longer
  • Great white sharks can swim at speeds of over 56km/h or 35mph
  • And they can swim to depths of 1,200m, or 3,900 feet
  • Experts believe that great whites have no natural predators, other than the killer whale in very rare instances
  • Great whites became part of the popular imagination after the 1974 novel Jaws, and the later Steven Spielberg film adaptation
  • Humans aren’t the natural prey of great whites, but they’re responsible for the largest number of unprovoked shark attacks on humans

Doctors performed emergency surgery and skin grafts to repair the extensive wound on her hand.

She has since returned to Las Vegas and is undergoing intense physical therapy to regain full use of her hand.

Ross, a computer programmer, is hoping to get back to work soon.

“I’m still angry. There’s this weird multitude of feelings that I have,” she said.

“It is so uncommon, and for it to happen in such a way that I wasn’t even doing anything cool.”

Ross said she’s had several encounters with sharks while scuba diving but never experienced anything dangerous – until now.

Though she previously worked as a lifeguard, Ross has said beachgoers should always swim near professionals.

“It doesn’t matter how strong of a swimmer you are, you should watch out to only swim when there’s lifeguards present,” she said.

“This is something that I take full responsibility for.”

There were no lifeguards on duty in that area at the time, officials confirmed.

Authorities are urging tourists to stay alert and only swim in designated lifeguarded zones.

Smiling woman on a sailboat.
Ross underwent emergency surgery and skin graftsCredit: Instagram/emyydayy
Great white shark swimming underwater.
Despite the chaos, Ross managed to kick the shark away and rush back to shore (stock image)Credit: Getty
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Illegal immigrant convicted of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase

Undocumented Immigrant Found Guilty of Firing at Rural Police Officer During High-Speed Pursuit

A small-town traffic stop turned into a deadly confrontation when an illegal…
Chicago's 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. wants son to replace him in City Council after retirement, drawing criticism

Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. faces backlash for proposing his son as successor in City Council’s 27th Ward after retirement

The longest-tenured member of the Chicago City Council is stepping down at…
Native Hawaiian man could face longer prison sentence after conviction for hate crime against white man

Hawaiian Man May Receive Extended Sentence for Hate Crime Conviction Against White Man

A Native Hawaiian man who had been found guilty of a hate…
Trump and George Soros have this in common: Scott Bessent

Scott Bessent Highlights a Commonality Between Trump and George Soros

President Trump and left-wing billionaire George Soros have more similarities than previously…
Bin strike war could cost Labour millions as loyal union threatens to withhold funding after suspending Angela Rayner

Garbage Strike Dispute May Cost Labour Party Millions as Key Union Warns of Potential Funding Withdrawal After Angela Rayner Suspension

MILLIONS of pounds in funding to Labour could be in jeopardy as…
Canadian police official warns 'traditional values' may be sign a person is becoming 'extremist'

Canadian Police Officer Cautions that ‘Traditional Values’ Could Indicate Emerging Extremism

A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cautioned on Tuesday…

Desperate Plea: Travis Decker ‘Sighting’ Ignored by Police for Weeks, Leaving Me Feeling Unsettled

A NURSE reported that she spent several weeks urging the police to…
US Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago field office touts progress after major fentanyl busts: ABC7 I-TEAM EXCLUSIVE

The Chicago DEA Highlights Success After Significant Fentanyl Seizures: An Exclusive Report by ABC7 I-TEAM

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team spoke exclusively with Chicago’s top drug…
Photo of Darcy Deefholts.

Teen Surfer’s Dramatic Rescue: Swept 9 Miles Out to Sea and Stranded Overnight on Deserted Island

A 19-YEAR-OLD surfer was miraculously found alive and well after getting marooned…
Singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to 2 further charges over London nightclub assault case

Chris Brown Maintains Innocence Against Additional London Nightclub Assault Charges

LONDON — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown on Friday entered a not guilty…
Photo of a teenage girl and a woman.

Brave 17-year-old dies rescuing his entire family from a van that fell off a cliff into dangerous floodwaters.

A BRAVE teenager saved her entire family after their van plunged off…
Immigration operation at California cannabis farms leads to clash between federal agents and protesters

Federal Immigration Raid on California Cannabis Farms Sparks Confrontation with Protesters

On Thursday, demonstrators confronted federal officials during an immigration raid at a…