Florida Man Recovers After Shark Bite While Snorkeling

A man from Florida is on the mend after experiencing a shark bite while out snorkeling with friends over the weekend.

This incident took place early on Saturday, October 25, near Boca Chita Key in Biscayne Bay, as confirmed by Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue. Emergency responders acted quickly, responding to a medical call regarding the bite around 11:30 a.m. and airlifting the man to a nearby hospital.

The individual involved has been identified as Yosvany Echevarria, 46 years old. He originally came to the United States from Cuba three years ago. According to reports, while snorkeling underwater, he was bitten by a shark multiple times—at least six, he recounted.

In his own words, “He could have ripped my arm off. It was scary. It hurt a lot. We were swimming on the beach, and I was snorkeling when the shark lunged at my hand.” Echevarria required 27 stitches to treat the severe injuries to his arm.

He recounted how the incident unfolded, noting that it happened close to shore, prompting him to ask someone for help to get him out of the water.

This year has seen 51 recorded shark attacks across the United States, with ten of those taking place in Florida. Several incidents also happened in other known areas like Hollywood Beach, which is not far from Miami, and Boca Grande.

To provide some context, last year, there were 71 shark bites reported worldwide, and 47 of these were deemed unprovoked, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Data indicates that 28 of these events occurred in the U.S., with Florida being the state with the highest incidents, having 14 such bites reported last year.

Echevarria shared his advice for those venturing into the water: “You need to be careful. It could have been a lot worse. I’m glad I was only bitten. They could have ripped my arm off.”