A teen surfer was paddling into deep water off Florida. A shark was there, too

An end of the summer trip to the beach ended in dramatic — and painful — fashion for a young Florida surfer Tuesday morning.

According to Volusia County Beach Safety, a 15-year-old boy was attacked by a shark off the Ponce Inlet, south of Daytona Beach.

An agency news release says that the surfer was paddling out into “deep water” when a shark bit him on the right hand.

It’s unclear what type of shark was involved, but fortunately swam away before it could inflict more damage.

Agency spokesman Andrew Ethridge said the surfer’s name could not be released because he is a minor. After being treated at the scene, the St. Augustine teen refused transport and a friend drove him to the hospital, the agency said. His current condition is unknown.

Madeleine Marr

Miami Herald

Celebrity/real time news reporter Madeleine Marr has been with The Miami Herald since 2003. She has covered such features as travel, fashion and food. In 2007, she helped launch the newspaper’s daily People Page, attending red carpet events, awards ceremonies and press junkets; interviewing some of the biggest names in show business; and hosting her own online show. She is originally from New York City.